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VEGF gene polymorphism association with diabetic neuropathy

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Abstract

Vascular factors beside metabolic problems are involved in both etiopathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy, and more remarkably, later in “repair” phase, that governs the net balance between neuro-regenerative/degenerative reactions. Regarding ischemic nature of diabetic neuropathy that highlights necessity of blood vessels re-establishment during tissue healing, VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) has been recently the subject of extensive investigations in diabetic neuropathy (DNU). This growth factor possesses angiogenic potentials in addition to the hemodynamic functions. The distribution of VEGF gene polymorphisms at positions −7*C/T, −1001*G/C, −1154*G/A and −2578*C/A were analysed by ARMS–PCR in 248 type 1 diabetic British-Caucasian subjects (81 DNU+, 167 DNU−). We have found that distribution of a VEGF gene polymorphism at promoter region (−7*C/T) was significantly different between diabetic subjects with vs. without neuropathy and the allele (C) conferred susceptibility to DNU (P = 0.02; OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.0–3.1). The present study indicates that polymorphism of the VEGF gene at position −7*C/T might be implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy as it may harbour some functional/regulatory potential in VEGF gene expression. However, this requires further studies in order to better understand its phenotypic impact and to investigate the prognostic value of this polymorphism in diabetic neuropathy as a chronic complication of diabetes.

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Acknowledgement

The authors wish to thank Christine Halford and Mike Frazer and all the Manchester Diabetes Centre staff for their assistance in this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. EMRC (Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center), Dr Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, North Karegar St., Tehran, 14114, Iran

    Javad Tavakkoly-Bazzaz, Mahsa M. Amoli & Bagher Larijani

  2. Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Poursina St., Tehran, 14176, Iran

    Javad Tavakkoly-Bazzaz

  3. School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, USA

    Vera Pravica & Ian V. Hutchinson

  4. Department of Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK

    Ramesh Chandrasecaran & Andrew J. M. Boulton

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  1. Javad Tavakkoly-Bazzaz
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Correspondence to Javad Tavakkoly-Bazzaz or Mahsa M. Amoli.

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Tavakkoly-Bazzaz, J., Amoli, M.M., Pravica, V. et al. VEGF gene polymorphism association with diabetic neuropathy. Mol Biol Rep 37, 3625–3630 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-010-0013-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-010-0013-6

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