['Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3) is a member of the TIMP family of proteins, playing a significant role in the control of extracellular matrix remodelling. TIMP-3 might play a role in the regulation of retinal neovascularization during progression of diabetic retinopathy. Recently, three novel polymorphisms (-899T/A, -915A/G and -1296T/C) in the promoter region of the TIMP-3 gene have been identified. The aim of the study was to investigate a possible association of these polymorphisms with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).', 'Genotypes were detected by polymerase chain reaction and subsequent restriction with specific endonucleases. Allele frequencies were determined in an association study comprising three groups of subjects (n = 371).', 'Linkage disequilibrium was found among the three polymorphisms (P < or = 0.01). Allele frequencies did not differ between neither T2DM + PDR and T2DM non-PDR subjects (P > 0.05) nor between all T2DM versus non-diabetic subjects (P > 0.05).'] Are three novel polymorphisms in the promoter region of the TIMP-3 gene associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus?