The association between MCP-1, VEGF polymorphisms and their serum levels in patients with diabetic foot ulcer

The purpose of the present study was to investigate distribution of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) –2518A/G and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) –634G/C polymorphisms in type 2 diabetes melitus patients (T2DM) presenting diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Additionally, we evaluated the effects of these 2 polymorphisms on serum levels of MCP-1 and VEGF in the study population. Patients diagnosed with T2DM without or with DFU were recruited in the study. The distribution of MCP-1 –2518A/G and VEGF –634G/C polymorphisms was investigated by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to detect the protein levels of MCP-1 and VEGF. The comparisons of protein levels in DFU patients were performed by student t test according to their genotypes. The frequencies of GG genotype and G allele of MCP-1 –2518A/G was increased in DFU patients, compared with T2DM patients (odds ratio [OR] = 2.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23–5.50, P = .011 and OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.18–2.50, P = .005, respectively). Moreover, the increased frequency of GG was significantly associated with up-regulated MCP-1 level in DFU patients (P < .001). Analysis for VEGF –634G/C polymorphisms indicated that the prevalence of CC genotype and C allele of the polymorphisms was decreased in DFU patients, compared with T2DM patients (OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.17–0.77, P = .008 and OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.43–0.91, P = .015, respectively). DFU patients carrying CC genotype had a higher level of VEGF than those with other genotypes (P = .007). MCP-1 –2518A/G and VEGF –634G/C polymorphisms may involve in occurrence and progress of DFU through regulating transcription activity of the genes.