Changes and significance of vascular endothelial growth factor in induced sputum of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Objective To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Thirty patients with stable bronchial asthma (asthma group), 28 patients with stable COPD (COPD group), and 24 healthy subjects (control group) were studied. Lung function, inflammatory cell differentials in sputum and the level of VEGF in induced sputum were determined by induced sputum method and ELISA method respectively. Results The levels of eosinophils in induced sputum in asthma group were 0.9 (0.4-1.4) × 109/L, significantly higher than those in COPD greup[0.1 (0-0.2)×109/L], and control group[0.0(0-0.1) × 109/L] (P % (γ =-0.56, P 0.05). Conclusions The concentration of VEGF in induced sputum increases in patients with bronchial asthma. VEGF may take part in the airway inflammatory development of asthma. The concentration of VEGF in induced sputum decreases in patients with COPD. VEGF may take part in the incidence of COPD. Key words: Asthma; Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Vascular endothelial growth factor A