Pro- and antiangiogenic VEGF and its receptor status for the severity of diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose: Alteration of pro- and antiangiogenic homeostasis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoforms in patients with hyperglycemia seems crucial but substantially unexplored at least quantitatively for diabetic retinopathy (DR). Therefore, in the present study we aimed to estimate the difference between the pro- (VEGFa) and antiangiogenic (VEGFb) VEGF isoforms and its soluble receptors for severity of DR.

Methods: The study included 123 participants (diabetic retinopathy: 81, diabetic control: 20, non-diabetic control: 22) from the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Kolkata.

Insertion/Insertion Genotype of Angiotensin I-Converting-Enzyme Gene Predicts Risk of Myocardial Infarction in North East India.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is common in India and the disease occurs at a relatively younger age. We wanted to look for association of Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene with MI in North East India. We also wanted to examine possible environmental interaction of ACE gene with established cardiovascular risk factors in causation of MI.