Association between VEGF-634G>C Gene Polymorphism with Gastric Premalignant Lesions and Serum VEGF Levels in Helicobacter pylori Gastritis Patients

AIM: To evaluate the association between VEGF-634G>C gene polymorphism with premalignant gastric lesions as well as the level of VEGF. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included patients with H. pylori gastritis at Haji Adam Malik General Hospital, Permata Bunda General Hospital, and Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Medan, Indonesia. Detection of H. pylori infection was made using positive results of (14)C-UBT, rapid urease test, and/or immunohistochemistry. Gastric premalignant lesion diagnosis was made when one or more of the following were present: chronic atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, or dysplasia. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to examine VEGF-634G>C gene polymorphism. Additionally, serum samples of patients with H. pylori gastritis were obtained to determine the level of circulating VEGF. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: A total number of 87 patients with H. pylori gastritis were included in this study. Of all participants, 26 patients (29.9%) showed gastric premalignancy. There was a significant association between GG+GC genotype of VEGF-634G>C and gastric premalignant lesions (P = 0.003; OR (CI 95%) = 6.07 (1.88-41.71)). VEGF-634 G>C polymorphism also showed an association with VEGF serum levels (P = 0.005). Patients with the GG+GC genotype would be at risk of 3.16 times to have high VEGF levels compared to CC genotypes. CONCLUSION: VEGF-634G>C polymorphism, in particular, GG+GC genotype was associated with an increased risk of gastric premalignant transformation as well as having high VEGF levels in patients with H.pylori gastritis.