The Association of Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Ferritin in Diabetic Microvascular Disease

Abstract

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular disease. Most diabetes patients have higher serum levels of ferritin that may participate in diabetic vascular complications through high oxidative stress induced by iron. However, the mechanistic link between ferritin and VEGF is obscure. The study investigated the association of VEGF and ferritin in patients with diabetic microvascular disease. Patients and Methods: Sixty patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 26 healthy individuals were selected in this study. Serum ferritin, VEGF, hematological parameters, and clinical data were assessed in this cohort. The Spearman rank method was used to evaluate the associations among them. Results: Serum levels of VEGF and ferritin were significantly higher in diabetes patients compared with the controls; levels of both were elevated with development of the disease. There were positive correlations between VEGF and glucose levels and between VEGF and ferritin in diabetes groups, especially in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Positive correlations were also found between VEGF level and the parameters of age, hemoglobin, and albumin in patients with diabetes hypertension. Conclusions: Our data suggest that high ferritin levels in T2DM are closely related to the development of diabetic vascular complications through interaction with VEGF.

Morphometric and histological parameters in veins of diabetic patients undergoing brachiocephalic fistula placement

“…1,2 The pathogenic lesion of diabetic arterial disease begins with endothelial cell injury, involves smooth muscle cell activation, and is characterized by calcific plaque, ferritin deposition, and eventual intimal hyperplasia. 1,3,4 Atherosclerosis in diabetes has been well characterized in the arteries although the pathology of diabetic venous disease is not well described. 5 …”

Identification of the differential expression of serum microRNA in type 2 diabetes

“…diabetic nephropathy, cardiomyopathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy) caused by T2DM give rise to considerable global morbidity and mortality rates as a result of strokes, myocardial infractions, blindness, and foot ulcers. [5][6][7][8] Serious complications can devastate one's quality of life and life expectancy. 6,9) Diabetes has become a major socioeconomic health problem, but there is still no efficient prevention measures or treatments.…”

POLYMORPHISMS OF EXTRACELLULAR CONNECTIVE TISSUE REMODELING PROTEINASES AND <i>MMP2, MMP3, MMP9</i> GENES, AND NEOANGIGENESIS <i>VEGF</i> GENE IN RETINAL MICROANGIOPATHY IN THE PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

“…Причем механизмы регулирования до конца не ясны, но могут затрагивать в том числе и модификацию промоторных регионов генов [27,28,33]. Положительные корреляции выявлены также и между уровнем глюкозы и VEGF у пациентов с СД и ДР [11]. Мы показали, что сочетание высокого уровня HbA1с с наличием генотипов, ассоциированных с более высоким уровнем экспрессии MMP (MMP2 -1306CC и MMP9 -1562CT) повышает риск развития ДР у пациентов с СД 2 типа.…”