AIM: To assess the association of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)gene polymorphisms(rs2010963 and rs3025039)with diabetic retinopathy(DR)in Li nationality type 2 diabetic(T2DM)patients in Hainan.

METHODS: Prospective study. A total of 89 patients with T2DM in the Li nationality in Hainan were randomly categorized(between 09/2016 to 10/2019)into three groups, 30 patients in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR)group, 33 patients in proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)group, and 26 patients in T2DM without retinopathy(DWR)group as control. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used to determine the polymorphism in the VEGF gene. Differences in allele frequencies and genotype frequencies between cases and controls were compared.

RESULTS: Compared with the DWR group, the CC genotype of rs2010963 polymorphic site was significantly increased(P<0.016667), and CG genotype was significantly decreased in PDR group(P<0.016667). No significant differences were detected in the frequencies of genotype GG and C, G allele distribution among the three groups(P>0.05). Meanwhile, no significant differences were detected in the frequencies of genotype CC, CT, C, and T in rs3025039 among the three groups(all P>0.05). Plasma levels of serum urea and creatinine were significantly increased in PDR group compared to DWR and NPDR groups in Li nationality group in Hainan(all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The polymorphism of the VEGF gene(rs2010963)is associated with DR. CC genotype may be a genetic risk factor for the development of DR, increasing susceptibility to PDR. The rs2010963 related genotype is conferred risk and associated with higher susceptibilities of PDR.