| Background: The vascular endothelial growth factor-A
(VEGFA) family of cytokines regulates proliferation, angiogenesis,
and migration of endothelial cells, increases vascular
permeability, and controls thrombogenicity. Recent studies
have suggested that the VEGFA gene plays an important
role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and its related
disorders. Dietary diversity score (DDS) has also been
shown to have potential favorable effects against features of
metabolic syndrome. This study examined the interactions
between +405 VEGFA C/G (rs2010963) polymorphism and
DDS on the metabolic and biochemical profile of metabolic
syndrome. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to evaluate
the interaction between DDS and VEGFA rs2010963
gene polymorphisms in modification of metabolic risk factors
including serum lipids, blood pressure, serum adiponectin,
and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 concentrations in
patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods and Materials:
In the current cross-sectional study, 254 patients with metabolic
syndrome were recruited. Measurements of blood
pressure, anthropometric parameters, and dietary intakes
were performed and the DDS was calculated. Biochemical
variables including serum adiponectin concentrations, lipid
profile, serum glucose, and MMP-3 concentrations were
measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method
(ELISA) and enzymatic colorimetric methods. Determination
of +405 C/G VEGFA gene polymorphisms was performed using
the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment
length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Results: Patients
in the lowest DDS quartile had higher insulin and homeostatic
model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR),
while patients in the highest DDS quartile had higher
quantitative insulin check index (QUICKI; p < 0.05). Higher
serum triglyceride and systolic blood pressure (SBP) values
and lower serum adiponectin concentrations were also observed
in lower DDS quartiles (p < 0.05). Patients with the CC
genotype in the VEGFA rs2010963 polymorphism had significantly
higher body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose,
aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase
(ALT; p < 0.05) compared to patients with the other 2
genotypes. In lower quartiles of DDS, 30% of patients with
metabolic syndrome had the GG genotype, while 30.4 and
30.8% of patients with metabolic syndrome in higher DDS |