VEGF-A gene promoter polymorphisms and microvascular complications in patients with essential hypertension

Objectives: We investigated the possible involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) gene promoter polymorphisms in essential hypertension (EH). Design and methods: 1225 bp of the VEGF-A gene promoter were screened for polymorphisms using PCR amplification and direct DNA sequence analysis in 62 EH and 62 normotensive (HS) individuals. Circulating VEGF-A levels were determined by immunoassay. Results: -152G/A (p = 0.009) and -116G/A (p = 0.016) polymorphisms were correlated to hypertension (p < 0.05). Median platelet VEGF-A load in EH was 2.10 fg/plt. Patients with microvascular complications (MC) had higher platelet VEGF-A load than those without (p = 0.005). Multivariate analyses showed that -116 A allele was an independent predictor of microalbuminuria (p = 0.014) and increased platelet VEGF-A load (p = 0.009) in EH. Platelet VEGF-A load independently predicted MC (p = 0.049) in addition to -116G/A polymorphism (p = 0.035). Conclusions: Abnormal regulation of VEGF-A due to polymorphism at position -116 might represent a genetic factor for increased VEGF-A production and MC in EH.