Genetic polymorphisms of vascular endothelial growth factor in pre-eclampsia

PURPOSE: To identify genetic polymorphisms of endothelial growth factor (VEGF), positions +936C/T and -2578C/A, in women with pre-eclampsia. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 80 women divided into two groups: pre-eclampsia and control. The sample was characterized using a pre-structured interview and data transcribed from the medical records. DNA extraction, amplification of sequences by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) with specific primers and polymorphism analysis of Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) were performed to identify polymorphisms. The statistical analysis was performedin a descriptive manner and using the chi(2) test. The multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the effect of polymorphisms on pre-eclampsia. RESULTS: Ahigher frequency of the T allele of the VEGF +936C/T polymorphism was observedin patients with pre-eclampsia, but with no significant difference. The presence of allele A of the VEGF -2578C/A was significantly higher in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: No significant association was observed between VEGF +936C/Tpolymorphism andpre-eclampsia. For the VEGF -2578C/A polymorphism a significant differencewas observed between thecontrol and pre-eclampsia group, with allele A being the most frequent in the control, suggesting the possibility that carriers of allele A have lower susceptibility to the development of pre-eclampsia.