It affects the inflammatory response via neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which could potentially have a relevant role in the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy.
Functional polymorphisms within vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene have shown association with various conditions including diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy.
The present study indicates that polymorphism of the VEGF gene at position -7*C/T might be implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy as it may harbour some functional/regulatory potential in VEGF gene expression.
Studies in animal models have been promising, and the first human trial, using a plasmid to transfer the gene coding for vascular endothelial growth factor into muscle for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, is now underway.