Analysis of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) -634C/G and +936C/T Polymorphisms and Serum VEGF Levels in Women Suffering From Preeclampsia

Abstract

Preeclampsia (PE) is a syndrome related with pregnancy and characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, occurring in approximately 6-8% of pregnancies and accounting for approximately 40% of premature births. This study aimed to investigate the polymorphisms of -634C/G and +936C/T in VEGF gene and their relationship with serum VEGF levels in pregnant women with PE. In this case-control study, peripheral blood samples were collected from 135 women with PE and 135 normal pregnant women as the control group. DNA was extracted using the phenol-chloroform method. Then, the polymorphisms of VEGF gene were detected by PCR-RFLP method using specific primers. Besides, VEGF concentrations were measured by ELISA method on serum samples and control subjects using ELISA kits. In this research, maternal age, gestational week, maternal hemoglobin and BMI were significantly correlated with the likelihood of PE, while the occurrence season variable was not effective in PE among the pregnant women. There was no significant difference in the two polymorphisms of -634C/G and +936C/T in VEGF gene between the two groups. Also, the serum VEGF level in PE patients was significantly higher than the normal group (P<0.001). Despite a significant increase in serum VEGF concentrations in women with PE, it seems that -634C/G and +936C/T polymorphisms of VEGF gene are not related with the onset of PE. Further studies are required to fully understand the risk factors related to preeclampsia syndrome.