AKR1B1 and hemochromatosis: In this context, polymorphic markers in or near several genes including aldose reductase (AKR1B1), the receptor for AGE (advanced glycation end products, RAGE), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF), hemochromatosis (HFE), and alpha2beta1 integrin have been identified as being associated with DR [11-17].