Correlation of VEGF genetic polymorphisms and lipid profile to aortic calcification

• We investigated the association of VEGF SNPs with aortic calcification (AC).
• A significant genetic difference was found at VEGF SNP − 2578C>A at AC.
• Haplotypes C–G–A and T–A–C of (+ 936/− 1154/− 2578) enhance AC development.
• VEGF SNPs to AC association with age, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia

BackgroundAortic calcification is developed due to accumulation of a large amount of calcium in the aorta of the heart and it is the leading cause of aortic valve replacement and third leading cause of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between aortic calcification and VEGF SNPs (− 2578C>A, − 1154G>A and + 936C>T) and to evaluate the association of these SNPs with biochemical parameter in relation to aortic calcification.MethodsAortic calcification was diagnosed by examining the posteroanterior chest X-rays by a radiologist and graded into four groups. The real-time polymerase chain reaction with melting curve analysis in LightCycler was used to genotype the VEGF SNPs.ResultsAmong the VEGF SNPs, a significant genetic difference was found only between the aortic calcification and control group with VEGF SNP − 2578C>A but haplotypes T–A–A of (+ 936/− 1154/− 2578) were significantly different in control and aortic calcification and could enhance the aortic calcification development. By regression analysis, it was found that age, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperhomocysteinemia were found significantly different with the different genotypes of VEGF SNPs which may induce aortic calcification development.ConclusionAge, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperhomocysteinemia were established as aggravating factors for the aortic calcification in association with different VEGF genotypes.