Abstract
BackgroundAngiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) is an essential mediator of angiogenesis that establishes vascular integrity, and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) acts as its natural inhibitor. We considered that angiopoietin might be important in bronchial asthma.MethodsIn total, 35 patients with asthma and 20 healthy subjects were studied.ResultsThe serum Ang-1 levels were significantly elevated in patients with asthma compared to control subjects (293.9 ± 13.8 pg/mL vs. 248.3 ± 16.2 pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.04). The serum Ang-2 levels were not different between the two groups. The areas under the curve (AUC) for serum angiopoietins revealed that the serum level of Ang-1 (0.68) was more sensitive and specific than the serum Ang-2 level (0.55) for differentiating between patients with asthma and control subjects. The serum Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio was correlated with the FEV1/FVC ratio (r = -0.312, p = 0.02), while serum Ang-2 was correlated with body mass index.ConclusionsOur results indicate that the serum Ang-1 levels were higher in asthma patients compared with healthy subjects. As the Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio was related to lung function, the data suggest that serum angiopoietin is associated with lung function in patients with asthma.
Highlights
Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) is an essential mediator of angiogenesis that establishes vascular integrity, and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) acts as its natural inhibitor
The areas under the curve (AUC) for serum angiopoietins indicated that the serum Ang-1 levels (0.68) were more sensitive and specific than the serum Ang-2 levels (0.55) for differentiating patients with asthma from control subjects (Figure 2)
The serum Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio was correlated with the FEV1/ FVC ratio
Summary
Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) is an essential mediator of angiogenesis that establishes vascular integrity, and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) acts as its natural inhibitor. We considered that angiopoietin might be important in bronchial asthma. Increased angiogenesis is a well-documented feature of airway remodeling in asthma [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Airway remodeling [2] in asthmatic patients involves a wide array of pathophysiological features, including epithelial changes, increased smooth muscle mass, increased numbers of activated fibroblasts/ myofibroblasts, subepithelial fibrosis, angiogenesis, alterations in extracellular matrix components, and vascular changes. We examined the serum levels of angiopoietins in patients with asthma and investigated the possible associations with physiological variables
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
