Associations between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Acute Mountain Sickness

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated associations between polymorphisms in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene and susceptibility to acute mountain sickness. Methods: Two hundred Han Chinese soldiers who developed acute mountain sickness after rapidly ascending to an altitude of < 3600 m and 200 control soldiers (who did not develop the condition) were enrolled in the study. Twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the VEGF gene were genotyped in all the study participants. Plasma VEGF concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 40 subjects with acute mountain sickness and 40 controls before and after exposure to high altitude. Results: The frequencies of the rs3025039 genotype and allele were significantly different between the groups. Two SNPs, rs3025039 (which involves a C→T allele variation at position 936 in the 3′ untranslated region) and rs3025030 (which involves a G→C allele variation in the intronic sequence), were associated with a decreased risk of acute mountain sickness. Conclusion: The SNPs rs3025039 and rs3025030 of the VEGF gene may be associated with a decreased risk of acute mountain sickness development.