The Lactase -13910C>T Polymorphism (rs4988235) in Macedonian Individuals with Abdominal Symptoms

Ljubica Adzi-Andov; Ana  Momirovska; Maja Todorovska; Danica Cvetkovic; Stefan  Petrovski; Lidija Petrovska

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2025.11988

Authors

Ljubica Adzi-Andov Faculty of Medical Sciences, Goce Delchev University, Shtip, RN Macedonia; Private Hospital for Gynecology and Obstetrics D-r Organdziski, Shtip, RN Macedonia; Diagnostic Medical Biochemistry Laboratory Synlab, Skopje, RN Macedonia https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4108-7890
Ana Momirovska Diagnostic Medical Biochemistry Laboratory Synlab, Skopje, RN Macedonia
Maja Todorovska Diagnostic Medical Biochemistry Laboratory Synlab
Danica Cvetkovic Diagnostic Medical Biochemistry Laboratory Synlab, Skopje, RN Macedonia
Stefan Petrovski Faculty of Medical Sciences, Goce Delchev University, Shtip, RN Macedonia; Department of Surgery, Clinical Hospital, Shtip, RN Macedonia
Lidija Petrovska Faculty of Medical Sciences, Goce Delchev University, Shtip, RN Macedonia; Department of Dermatovenerology, Clinical Hospital, Shtip, RN Macedonia https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0684-9177

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2025.11988

Keywords:

lactose intolerance, genetics, LCT polymorphism, lactase persistence, lactase non-persistence

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Primary hypolactasia is one of the main causes of lactose intolerance. Genetic tests are used in primary lactose intolerance. It is associated with two polymorphisms: C/T-13910 and G/A-22018 located upstream of the LCT gene which encodes for lactase-phlorizin hydrolase.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the presence of C/T-13910 polymorphism in individuals with abdominal symptoms from North Macedonia.

METHOD: Realtime PCR (FLASH technique) for the C/T-13910 polymorphism was performed. A total of 161 patients from N. Macedonia (82 females, 79 males; from 1-67 years, mean age 11.214.9) were tested for the most common mutation C/T-13910 in the promoter of the LCT gene. Two groups were formed according to ethnicity: 70 subjects Macedonian and 91 Albanian subjects.

RESULTS: CC-13910 genotype was found in 64.6 % of total subjects, with higher prevalence in Macedonian then in Albanian subjects (74.29% vs 57.14%).

CONCLUSION: The results obtained show that N. Macedonia belongs to the group of European countries with low lactose tolerance.

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