Objectives Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -8 is an enzyme that cleaves extracellular matrix (ECM). It is involved in many diseases' pathology including diabetes mellitus type II (DM). In MMP -8 gene promoter region, there are many polymorphisms with an important role in gene transcription modifying and protein production. -381A/G and -799 C/T SNPs are the most effective polymorphisms, and our study is the first work aimed to evaluate the association between these polymorphisms and DM susceptibility in Syrian population. Design study sample included 140 subjects allocated into two groups: H= healthy control, DM= diabetes mellitus. MMP -8 SNPs were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism -polymerase chain reaction (RFLP -PCR) technique. Results

The frequencies of genotypes were significantly different between study groups (adjusted OR =3.621, 95% CI: 1.391-9.428, P = 0.008 for - 381GG genotype), and (OR =4.941, 95% CI: 1.640-14.890, P = 0.005 for -799TT genotype). Subjects with minor alleles seem to be more likely to develop DM more than those with the major alleles (OR=2.842, P = 0.01 for G) and (OR =3.995, P = 0.001 for T). Conclusion This study data has illustrated that there could be a remarkable association between MMP-8 gene promoter polymorphisms -381A/G and - 799C/T and diabetic susceptibility in Syrian population.