Association of VEGF +405 C > G (rs2010963) polymorphism with susceptibility of metabolic syndrome: Cardio-metabolic risk factors and serum Matrix Metaloproteinase-3 concentrations

BACKGROUND: In the present study we investigated the role of +405 VEGF gene polymorphism in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and to explore its association with several biochemical risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: VEGF +405 single nucleotide polymorphism were genotyped in 150 patients with metabolic syndrome and 50 healthy individuals using the PCR-RFLP method. Serum levels of biochemical variables were assessed by commercial ELISA technique. RESULTS: GC genotype was more prevalent among patients with metabolic syndrome. In GC genotype, patients with metabolic syndrome had higher waist to hip ratio, WHR, triglyceride, and lower high density lipoprotein and alanine aminotransferase concentrations compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated that +405 VEGF gene polymorphism was a potent predictor of metabolic abnormalities in patients with metabolic syndrome. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to clarify these associations properly.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Polymorphism in Bladder Cancer: A Review

Bladder cancer is one of the most common urinary tract cancers. The main risk factors for bladder cancer are tobacco usage, aging, gender, exposure to chemicals and drugs such as cyclophosphamide and chlornaphazine, chronic bladder problems, and genetics. Genetic factors continue to be studied including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphism. Overexpression of VEGF is known to be higher in bladder cancer patient than healthy individual. It is also associated with tumor progression, metastasis, recurrence, and survival since VEGF and its receptor play a key role in angiogenesis. Many studies evaluated the relationship between VEGF polymorphism and the risk of bladder cancer, but the results were inconsistent because of ethnicity and geographical influences. The present study aims to raise knowledge about the role of VEGF polymorphisms on risk of bladder cancer.