VEGF gene polymorphism association with diabetic foot ulcer

Abstract 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.