VEGF, eNOS, and ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms may increase the risk of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

We investigated the associations between vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 transporter (ABCB1) polymorphisms and the risk of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Published studies were reviewed and analyzed based on predefined selection criteria. The strength of the association between VEGF, eNOS, and ABCB1 polymorphisms and ONFH risk was evaluated based on the odds ratio with corresponding 95%CIs. Meta-analysis was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-analysis 2.0 software. A total of 135 relevant articles were retrieved, of which 10 studies met the selection criteria, and included a total of 1025 patients with ONFH and 1730 healthy controls. The meta-analysis study results revealed that the VEGF rs2010963 G>C polymorphism increased the risk of ONFH, while the VEGF rs2010963 G>C and ABCB1 rs1045642 C>T polymorphisms increased the risk of ONFH under the allele model. In conclusion, the VEGF, eNOS, and ABCB1 polymorphisms may contribute to ONFH, but further studies including larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the results.