A preliminary evaluation of VEGF-A, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 in patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: Decompensated chronic hyperglycemia often leads to late microvascular complications such as retinopathy, diabetic foot syndrome, and diabetic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and its receptors in patients with well-controlled diabetes. Methods: The study was conducted on 31 patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes without micro- or macroangiopathy. Thirty healthy volunteers were enrolled in a control group. Serum concentrations of VEGF-A, VEGF receptors 1 and 2 (VEGFR1 and VEGFR2), fasting glucose, and lipid profiles were measured, and the plasma concentration of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was determined. Results: No significant differences were observed between the concentration of VEGF-A, VEGFR1 or VEGFR2 in the subject group and that in the control group. Positive correlations were noted between the levels of VEGF-A, VEGFR2, and triglyceride, and there was a negative correlation between the levels of VEGFR2 and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol in the study group. Conclusions: The concentrations of VEGF-A and its receptors 1 and 2 in patients with well-controlled diabetes are comparable to those of healthy individuals, which may indicate that appropriate control of glucose levels delays the occurrence of vascular complications. A negative correlation between VEGFR2 and HDL-cholesterol levels, and positive correlations between VEGF-A, VEGFR2, and triglyceride levels, suggest that lipid abnormalities occurring in diabetes may be involved in the modulation of angiogenesis.