VEGF gene polymorphism association with diabetic foot ulcer

Objective: Functional polymorphisms within vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene have shown association with various conditions including diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy. In this study we have performed a candidate gene association study in order to examine VEGF gene polymorphism association with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Methods: The study group comprised of type 2 diabetes patients with (N = 247) and without (N = 241) DFU. Healthy control subjects (N = 98) were also recruited from the same area. The ARMS-PCR technique was applied for genotyping of VEGF gene SNPs at positions -7*C/T and -2578*C/A. Results: The frequency of genotype AA was significantly decreased in patients with DFU compared with diabetic subjects without DFU (AA vs CA + CC, p = 0.003, OR = 0.44, CI = 0.24-0.80). Also there was a significant decrease in frequency of A allele in patients with DFU compared to the controls (p = 0.02, OR = 0.68, CI = 0.48-0.96). Conclusion: It seems that lower frequency of A allele in patients with DFU is conferring a protective effect which might be as a result of increased angiogenesis in patients carrying this allele. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.