Association of Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels with Nephropathy and Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), protein originally referred to as vascular permeability factor, maybe a signal protein produced by cells that stimulate the formation of blood vessels and a sub-family of growth factors. They are important signaling proteins engaged in both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. It is a part of the system that restores the oxygen supply to tissues when blood circulation is insufficient like in hypoxic conditions. The serum concentration of VEGF is high in asthma and DM. The aim of this study to explore the relevance of VEGF level with the complication of diabetes mellitus (diabetic retinopathy [DR] and diabetic nephropathy (DN)). Methodology: Case–control study carried out in Khartoum–Sudan from August 2018 to August 2020. One hundred and four patients divided into four groups, 3 ml of blood were collected from each subject in sterile plain vacationer tube (3 ml) then was centrifuged, and the serum was stored at −20°C to measure VEGF level by using ELISA kits (E-EL-H0111, 96T). Results: We have confirmed previous observations of increased plasma VEGF Levels in patients with DR and DN. A total of 103 quality controls divided into four groups (diabetics with DR, diabetics with DN diabetics without DR or DN, and health individuals) were observed to determine the relationship between serum of VEGF levels and diabetes complication DR and DN. Conclusions: High level of VEGF plays a major role in the pathogenesis of DR and DN.