Functional vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and diabetes: Effect on coronary collaterals in patients with significant coronary artery disease

BackgroundVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in angiogenesis. This study tested the association between functional VEGF + 405 C > G (rs2010963), − 2578C > A (rs699947) polymorphisms, and coronary collaterals in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodThe collateral scoring system developed by Rentrop was used to classify 393 patients according to their collaterals as either “poor” (grades 0 and 1) or “good” (grades 2 and 3). Gene polymorphisms were analyzed by TaqMan assay.ResultsThe frequency of + 405C and − 2578A alleles was higher in the good collaterals group (p = 0.007 and 0.005, respectively). For the + 405C > G allele, the odds ratio (OR) of good collaterals for CC to GG genotype was 2.54 (p = 0.003). For the − 2578A allele, the OR of good collaterals for AA to CC genotype was 2.31 (p = 0.038). Univariate and logistic regression analysis found 2 polymorphisms in the additive model for associations with collateral development: + 405C > G (p = 0.005 and 0.010) and − 2578C > A (p = 0.006 and 0.006). The VEGF + 405C > G polymorphism and DM revealed an interactive effect on collateral development (p = 0.027).ConclusionsThe VEGF + 405C > G and − 2578C > A polymorphisms might be novel genetic factors affecting collateral development in Chinese patients.