title: Associations of VEGF Gene Polymorphisms With Erectile Dysfunction and Related Risk Factors.
abstract: Repeated evidence from animal models suggests a strong link between vascular endothelial growth factor (VGEF) and penile vasculature and erectile function because VEGF can alter the physiologic pathways involved in the regulation of penile vasomotor tone.
  
  
  
  To investigate three VEGF polymorphisms and their link to erectile dysfunction (ED).
  
  
  
  We enrolled 688 Taiwanese men with a mean age of 55.6 years (SD = 4.5) during a free health screening. All participants provided complete medical histories and underwent physical examinations. Fasting blood samples were obtained for biochemical analysis and hormone profiling. The allelic discrimination of three VEGF gene polymorphisms (460T/C [rs833061], 1154G/A [rs1570360], and 2578A/C [rs699947]) was performed using validated TaqMan single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assays.
  
  
  
  Subjects underwent assessment using the simplified five-item International Index of Erectile Function to diagnose and assess ED severity.
  
  
  
  The results showed that diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR] = 3.27, P < .01), hypertension (OR = 3.47, P < .01), and having the VEGF 2578A allele (OR = 1.54, P = .01) were the three most independent risk factors for ED. In univariate analysis, all three VEGF polymorphisms (460C, 1154A, and 2578A) were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease (P < .01) and greater frequencies of hypertension were found in carriers of the 1154A allele and the 2578A allele (P = .01). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between VEGF 2578A allele carrier status and ED (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.10∼2.15, P = .01). Furthermore, the prevalence and severity of ED were significantly increased with an increment of the 2578A allele number (P < .05).
  
  
  
  VEGF 2578C/A gene polymorphisms could be a genetic susceptibility factor for the development of ED.
  
  
  
  This is the first study to investigate the genetic susceptibility of VEGF polymorphisms to ED. This study was cross-sectional with a lack of functional and molecular production investigations. Data on the association among conditions might not allow definitive conclusions about causal links.
  
  
  
  This study showed that VEGF 2578A allele carriers in a Taiwanese population are at greater risk for ED. Lee Y-C, Huang S-P, Tsai C-C, et al. Associations of VEGF Gene Polymorphisms With Erectile Dysfunction and Related Risk Factors. J Sex Med 2017;14:510-517.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yung-Chin
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shu-Pin
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Chun
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kai-Hung
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yung-Shun
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Juan
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wen-Jeng
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Sex Hormone Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Bo-Ying
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chun-Nung
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chii-Jye
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Pingtung Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Pingtung, Taiwan. Electronic address: m8201055@yahoo.com.tw.
authors.forename: Chia-Chu
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: Erectile Dysfunction; Gene Polymorphisms; Risk Factors; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor