Correlation between -2578C>A polymorphism of vascular endothelium growth factor gene and carotid atherosclerosis in Chinese Han population in Shandong, China

Abstract

Objective To investigate the correlation between -2578C>A polymorphism of vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) gene and carotid atherosclerosis in Chinese Han population in Shandong, China. Methods A total of 384 subjects aged 45-85 in Chinese Han population in Shandong, China were enrolled. They were divided into either an increased intima-media thickness (IMT) group (n=248) or a control group (n=136) according to the vascular ultrasound results. The baseline clinical data, such as the demographic data, vascular risk factors, and blood biochemical indicators in both groups were collected. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the VEGF gene -2578C>A polymorphism genotype and allele. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for increased carotid IMT. Results The proportions of hypertension (70.6% vs. 59.6%; χ2=4.793, P=0.032), diabetes (18.4% vs. 29.0%; χ2=5.281, P=0.027), hyperlipidemia (45.2% vs. 33.1%; χ2=7.883, P=0.006), previous previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (29.0% vs. 16.9%; χ2=6.294, P=0.009), smoking (35.9% vs. 19.9%; χ2=10.708, P=0.001), as well as total cholesterol (4.82±1.25 mmol/L vs. 4.57±0.94 mmol/L; t=-2.072, P=0.039), triglyceride (median, interquartile range; 1.71[0.84-2.22] mmol/L vs. 1.53[1.08-2.59] mmol/L; Z=-2.560 P=0.010), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.86±1.01 mmol/L vs. 2.64±0.85 mmol/L; t=-2.407, P=0.033), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.58±0.72 mmol/L vs. 1.43±0.46 mmol/L; t= -2.183, P=0.030) in the increased IMT group, and there were significant differences compared with the control group. There was significant difference in genotype frequency between the 2 groups (χ2=10.131; P=0.006). There was significant difference in C allele frequency between the increased IMT group and the control group (78.2% vs. 70.2%; χ2=6.068, P=0.014). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CC genotype (odds ratio 1.132, 95% confidence interval 1.021-2.141; P=0.029) was an independent risk factor for increased carotid IMT. In 248 patients with increased IMT, 213 had at least 1 plaque, 76 (39.6%) of them were 1-2, 107 (43.15%) were 3-4, and 30 (12. 1%) were 5-8 in plaque index. There were no significant differences in frequencies of genotypes (χ2=6.766, P=0.149) and allele (χ2=0.185, P=0.667) in the different plaque index groups. Conclusions -2578 single nucleotide polymorphism in the VEGF gene promoter is associated with carotid atherosclerosis, and C allele may be its genetic susceptibility factor in Chinese Han population in Shandong, China. Key words: Atherosclerosis; Carotid Arteries; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Polymorphism, Genetic