Abstract
Background and Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a debilitating disease, with rising morbidity and mortality. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a major role in angiogenesis, vascular permeability, and airway remodeling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between VEGF serum levels and VEGF +936 C/T gene polymorphism (rs3025039) with COPD, for the first time in a Romanian population. Materials and Methods: In total, 120 participants from Transylvania were included in this case-control study. Serum levels of VEGF were determined using an enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay and rs3025039 was investigated by high molecular weight genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Spirometric values, arterial blood gas analysis, and the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) outcome were also determined. Results: The serum level of VEGF was higher in the COPD group versus controls (p < 0.001), with a positive correlation with the 6MWT outcome. No significant difference was observed in the VEGF serum levels between VEGF +936C/T genotypes. There was no difference in the VEGF +936C/T genotype between COPD patients and healthy subjects (chi2 test p = 0.92, OR = 1.04, 95%CI = 0.41–2.62), but the presence of the T allele was significantly linked to the presence of COPD (chi2 test p = 0.02, OR = 2.36, 95%CI = 1.12–4.97). Conclusions: Higher VEGF serum levels were found in moderate and severe COPD and were positively correlated with the distance in the 6MWT. No significant difference was found between CC, CT, and TT genotypes of rs3025039 and the presence of COPD. The presence of the T allele was found to be linked to COPD and also to the degree of airway obstruction.
Highlights
Introduction distributed under the terms andChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multifactorial debilitating disease, characterized by persistent and progressive airflow limitation, with more than 300 million people having COPD worldwide [1]
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been studied in various pathologies, and in the field of COPD, studies have shown that VEGF deficiency, or its ability to signal, augments oxidant injury and tissue destruction and is involved in the pathogenesis of severe pulmonary emphysema, through apoptotic and oxidative stress mechanisms [6]
The TT genotype was not present in the control group, and we found no statistically significant relationship between genotype and the presence of COPD (CT vs. CC, p = 0.92, OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.41–2.62), but a significant difference was revealed when the T allele was considered (p = 0.02, OR = 2.368, 95% CI = 1.12–4.97)
Summary
Introduction distributed under the terms andChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multifactorial debilitating disease, characterized by persistent and progressive airflow limitation, with more than 300 million people having COPD worldwide [1]. Occupational exposure to organic and inorganic dust, chemical agents, and fumes, together with high levels of urban air pollution represent risk factors for COPD (1). The human VEGF gene is located on chromosome 6p21.3 and is composed of 8 exons and 7 introns [4]. This cytokine has potent angiogenic properties, modulates thrombogenicity, and enhances vascular permeability [5]. VEGF levels in induced sputum and blood serum were found to be elevated in asymptomatic smokers and in COPD smokers without alveolar destruction [7]. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a debilitating disease, with rising morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between VEGF serum levels and VEGF
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