Association of VEGF -2549 I/D and VEGF +936 C/T Polymorphisms with Chronic Kidney Disease in North-West Indian Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex multifactorial disease in which both genetic and environmental factors influence the onset, development and progression of disease. The genetic variations in the vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF ) can influence levels of VEGF protein expression, and thus, susceptibility to progression of kidney diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of VEGF -2549 I/D and VEGF +936 C/T polymorphisms in CKD stage V patients from North-West India.

METHODS: In this case-control study, 166 patients and 166 controls were analyzed. DNA samples were screened for VEGF -2549I/D and VEGF +936 C/T polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction-based (PCR) methods.

RESULTS: The genotype frequency of VEGF -2549 I/D was significantly different between patients and controls ( P < 0.05). ID genotype of VEGF -2549 I/D polymorphism was significantly associated with decreased risk of CKD ( P = 0.009). Genetic model analysis of VEGF -2549 I/D polymorphism revealed a significantly decreased risk of CKD in co-dominant ( P = 0.009), dominant ( P = 0.021), and over-dominant ( P = 0.012) models. Genotype and allele frequency of VEGF +936 C/T polymorphism was not significantly different between the patient and control groups. Genotype combination analysis revealed that ID-CT genotype combination of VEGF -2549 I/D and VEGF +936 C/T polymorphisms was associated with decreased CKD risk ( P = 0.047).

CONCLUSION: VEGF -2549 ID genotype and ID-CT genotype combination of VEGF -2549 I/D and VEGF +936 C/T polymorphisms was significantly associated with reduced CKD risk in North-West Indians.