Plasma levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) in familial Mediterranean fever

Abstract

Aims To assess the levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Methods Plasma levels of sVEGFR-1 were investigated in 33 FMF patients in an attack-free period (mean age 30.8 years; males/females 10/23), in 15 patients with acute FMF attack (mean age 32.7 years; males/females 7/8), and 19 healthy controls (mean age 32 years; males/females 11/8). Levels of sVEGFR-1 were also compared among patients who were receiving colchicine and those who were not. Results Plasma sVEGFR-1 levels were 3.49 ± 1.10, 3.53 ± 1.02, and 0.37 ± 0.28 ng/ml for FMF patients in the attack-free period, FMF patients with acute attack, and healthy controls, respectively. Plasma sVEGFR-1 levels were significantly higher in FMF patients with and without acute attack compared to the control group ( p < 0.05). sVEGFR-1 levels were not statistically significant between patients with acute attack and attack-free FMF patients ( p > 0.05). The plasma levels of sVEGFR-1 were also comparable in colchicine treated and untreated patients. Conclusion Our data suggest that sVEGFR-1 may have a role in the ongoing inflammatory cascade in FMF.