Role of VEGF_165b/VEGF_TOTAL ratio in gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Proper vascular function is important for well-being of mother and growing fetus. VEGF<b>_TOTAL</b>, and VEGF<b>_165b</b> levels and its vascular endothelial complications in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) together with the association of inflammation and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are less studied. VEGF<b>_165b</b>/VEGF<b>_TOTAL</b> (VEGF RATIO) in GDM pregnant women was investigated in this study. Plasma VEGF<b>_TOTAL</b> was lower in GDM (17.68 ± 1.30 pg/mL) compared to non-GDM (25.69 ± 1.40 pg/mL). VEGF<b>_165b</b>, ICAM-1, and AGEs were higher in GDM (9.9 ± 1.4 pg/mL, 201.04 ± 7.85 µg/mL, and 10.40 ± 0.98 µg/mL, respectively) and lower in non-GDM (6.47 ± 0.70 pg/mL, 174.1 ± 7.11 µg/mL, and 4.71 ± 0.39 µg/mL, respectively). Compared to non GDM (0.25 ± 0.02), VEGF RATIO was higher in GDM (0.45 ± 0.04) and correlated with -ICAM-1 (<i>r</i> = 0.375, <i>p</i> < .001) and AGEs (<i>r</i> = 0.199, <i>p</i> < .05). Tertile stratification of VEGF RATIO implied that frequency of GDM increases with increasing tertiles of VEGF RATIO (<i>p</i> for trend <.001). Association of VEGF RATIO with GDM was significant even after adjusting for AGEs (OR = 1.279, CI = 1.118-1.462, <i>p</i> < .0010) but it lost its significance when adjusted for ICAM-1 (OR = 1.006, CI = 0.995-1.017, <i>p</i> = .308). VEGF RATIO plays an important role in GDM in association with vascular inflammation.