Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor In Patients Research Articles

Effect of VEGF on neurological impairment and prognosis of acute cerebral infarction patients: A retrospective case-control study.

Due to the complex pathological mechanism of acute cerebral infarction, the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the disease is not clear. Therefore, a retrospective case-control study was performed to explore the effect of VEGF on neurological impairment and prognosis of acute cerebral infarction patients. A total of 100 patients with acute cerebral infarction admitted to our hospital from April 2021 to April 2022 were selected. Blood samples from all patients would be routinely collected to detect the expression of serum VEGF. Pearson chi-square, Spearman correlation and univariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the clinical data to explore the relationship between VEGF expression and basic information, stroke degree, quality of life, and prognosis of patients. To determine whether VEGF can provide relevant basis for the early prevention and prognostic treatment of acute cerebral infarction. And multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio between each variable and VEGF expression. Pearson chi-square test and Spearman correlation coefficient showed that sex, degree of stroke, limb convulsions, loss of consciousness, hemiplegia, aphasia, mental functioning score, overall quality of life score, and short-term prognosis were significantly correlated with VEGF expression in 100 patients. Univariate logistic regression was used to describe the ORs and 95% confidence interval of subjects at the univariate level, and the degree of stroke (OR = 83.333, P < 0.001), tic of limbs (OR = 26.316, P < 0.001), loss of consciousness (OR = 23.256, P < 0.001), hemiplegia (OR = 62.500, P < 0.001), aphasia (OR = 76.923, P < 0.001), mental functioning score (OR = 7.937, P < 0.001), overall quality of life score (OR = 5.464, P < 0.001), short-term prognosis (OR = 37.037, P < 0.001) was significantly correlated with the high expression of VEGF. The level of serum VEGF was positively correlated with neurological impairment degree and prognosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction, the more severe the degree of stroke and the worse the prognosis.

Role of vascular endothelial growth factor in radiotherapy resistance to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is related to the radiation resistance of tumors, resulting in the failure of tumor radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to discuss the role of VEGF in radiotherapy resistance of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We used the VEGF kit by ELISA to detect the serum VEGF level of ESCC patients who only received radiotherapy. The expression of VEGF in ESCC cells after siRNA treatment was verified by Western blot. The sensitivity of ESCC cells to radiation after knocking down VEGF was analyzed by Clonogenic assay and Cell counting kit (CCK-8). The results showed that the level of serum VEGF in patients with ESCC before and after radiotherapy was related to the clinical response, and it was confirmed that knocking down the expression of VEGF in ESCC cells improved the sensitivity to radiation.

Features of cytokine balance with the progression of structural changes in the gastric mucosa in patients with atrophic gastritis

Background. Until now, the issue of the correlation between the cytokine balance and the progression of structural changes in the gastric mucosa remain completely uncertain. At the same time, the determination of the role of cytokine balance as a component of gastric carcinogenesis will make it possible to substantiate new approaches to managing patients with atrophic gastritis. The purpose was to assess the level of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at the stages of progression of structural changes in the gastric mucosa of patients with atrophic gastritis. Materials and methods. The study included 79 individuals with atrophic gastritis who underwent narrow band imaging endoscopic examination. The patients were divided into groups taking into account the revealed structural changes in the gastric mucosa: group I— 7 people with gastric mucosal atrophy without intestinal metaplasia (IM); group II— 16 individuals with gastric mucosal atrophy with IM limited by the antrum; group III— 45 people with diffuse IM against the background of gastric mucosal atrophy; group IV— 10 individuals with gastric mucosal dysplasia. In all patients, we assessed the level of interleukins (IL-8, IL-10, IL-18), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), VEGF. Results. In patients of group IV, the concentration of IL-8 in the blood serum was 18.6 (11.3; 23.9) pg/ml that was significantly higher than in group I (by 5.0 times, p&lt;0.05), group II (by 3.6 times, p&lt;0.05) and group III (by 3.4 times, p&lt;0.05). According to the results of the Kruskal-Wallis test, the probability of a difference in the IL-8 level between the groups was 0.0260. The level of VEGF in the blood serum of patients with gastric mucosal dysplasia was significantly increased compared to that in people with gastric mucosal atrophy without IM (by 1.8 times, p&lt;0.05) and those with gastric mucosal atrophy with IM (by 1.7times, p&lt;0.05). Changes in the cytokine balance towards proinflammatory cytokines were most pronounced in patients of groups III and IV; according to the results of the Kruskal-Wallis test, the probability of a difference in the IL-8/IL-10 ratio between the groups was 0.0207. Conclusions. With the progression of structural changes in the gastric mucosa of patients with atrophic gastritis, an increase in the level of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-8, IL-18 and TNF-α) in the blood serum does not induce the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10). According to the results of the ROC analysis, the diagnostic criteria for the formation of the risk group for detecting dysplastic changes in the gastric mucosa are VEGF level of more than 341.4 mU/ml (sensitivity— 90.0%, specificity— 77.2%) and the level of IL-8 above 14.4 pg/ml (sensitivity— 80.0%, specificity— 78.3%).

846P Predictive and prognostic values of serum VEGF in patients with multiple myelomas receiving bortezomib-based therapy

Multiple myelomas (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy. Accurate risk stratification of MM patients is important for prognosis and to define the best treatment strategy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered a key regulator in angiogenesis and an important driver of neovascularization. We studied the predictive and prognostic values of serum VEGF in patients with newly diagnosed MM receiving bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone.

The Prognostic Value of Circulating VEGF-A Level in Patients With Hepatocellular Cancer.

Background:Neovascularization plays a crucial pathogenic role in tumor development and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) is a key signaling element that drives angiogenesis, thereby facilitating hepatocellular cancer (HCC) growth and metastasis. We aimed to define the relationship between serum VEGF-A levels and clinical outcomes in a cohort of Turkish patients with HCC.Methods:We enrolled and prospectively followed 84 patients with HCC in our study. Serum VEGF-A levels were measured and we assessed the association between VEGF-A levels and clinical features.Results:Forty-eight patients had cirrhosis while 35 patients were noncirrhotic. Serum VEGF-A levels were significantly lower in HCC patients with cirrhosis compared to non-cirrhotic HCC patients (p = 0.03).In terms of viral hepatitis subtype, 36 (%42.8) of patients were hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive and 8 (%9.5) of patients were hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive. Patients with serum VEGF-A levels ≥100 pg/mL had significantly lower OS rates than patients with serum VEGF-A level <100 pg/mL (p = 0.01). The OS rates were 5.8 and 14.2 months, respectively (p = 0.02). The median OS was 7.38 months (95% CI: 5.89-13.79 months). We observed a significant relationship between serum VEGF-A level and tumor size. Patients with tumor size ≤ 5cm had lower VEGF-A levels than patients with VEGF-A levels <5 cm. The VEGF-A levels were 132.7 and 342.1 pg/mL, respectively (p < 0.001). The median follow-up was 32 months.Conclusions:Serum VEGF-A level, a biological marker of angiogenesis, is an independent predictor of survival in patients with HCC. Serum VEGF-A levels may be utilized to predict response to treatment targeting serum VEGF-A in patients with HCC.

The use of crevicular fluid to assess markers of inflammation and angiogenesis, IL-17 and VEGF, in patients with solid tumors receiving zoledronic acid and/or bevacizumab.

Crevicular fluid was used to assess interleukin-17 (IL-17) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cancer patients receiving zoledronic acid and/or bevacizumab. The markers were also assessed in the serum. Twenty-five patients were included and comprised three groups: patients who received zoledronic acid (n = 9), patients who received bevacizumab (n = 9), and patients who received zoledronic acid combined with bevacizumab (n = 5). One patient received zoledronic acid and everolimus and another received zoledronic acid, bevacizumab, and temsirolimus. IL-17 and VEGF were measured by standard quantitative ELISA kits and assessed in two study points. Twenty-four patients maintained good periodontal health; one had asymptomatic osteonecrosis of the jaw. First assessment: 44 samples were collected; 21 from serum and 23 from crevicular fluid. Second assessment, 6months later: 11 samples were collected; 6 from serum and 5 from crevicular fluid. IL-17 was detected in all samples, in serum and crevicular fluid, and remained unchanged at both time points. Serum VEGF in patients with bevacizumab alone or combined with zoledronic acid was significantly lower compared with that of patients who received zoledronic acid alone. VEGF was not detected in the crevicular fluid. Crevicular fluid might be an easy, non-invasive means to assess IL-17. The stable values of IL-17 in crevicular fluid and serum and the lack of VEGF in the crevicular fluid could be related to the good periodontal health of our patients. Further studies are needed to assess IL-17 and VEGF in the crevicular fluid in patients with and without periodontal disease.

Synovial fluid level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can predict functional status and radiological severity in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA)

Aim of the work: Detection of serum and synovial fluid level of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to determine its relation to radiological severity and function status. Patients and methods: Thirty OA patients and thirty controls were included. Function status was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Knee pain evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Serum and synovial fluid level of VEGF were measured. Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale (KL) used to assess radiological severity. Results: The mean of patients’ age was 50.33 ± 5.3 years (20 females and 10 males) with disease duration of 7.03 ± 2.12 years. Mean synovial fluid VEGF of OA patients was 964.1 ± 396.72, mean serum VEGF of OA patients was 219.1 ± 96.95. No difference between serum VEGF of patients and control groups (p=0.787). Significant positive correlation between serum and synovial VEGF in OA patients (r=0.58, p=0.001). Significant positive correlation between the synovial fluid VEGF and patients’ age, disease duration, inactivity stiffness, ESR, VAS, WOMAC and KL grade scale (p‹0.0001,p=0.029,p‹0.0001,p‹0.0001,p=0.00 3,p‹0.0001,p‹0.0001). Significant positive correlation between serum VEGF and patients’ age, inactivity stiffness, WOMAC, ESR and KL grade scale (p‹0.0001, p=0.005, p=0.001, p=0.001,p=0.010). Synovial fluid VEGF was the significant predictors for determining the function status (p‹0.0001); while for determining severity; synovial fluid VEGF, patients’ age and VAS were significant predictors (p‹0.0001,p=0.001 and p=0.029 respectively). Conclusion: Serum and synovial fluid VEGF correlated with the clinical features, functional status and radiological features of Knee OA. Synovial VEGF can predict both functional impact and radiological severity in patients with knee OA.

Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in the Gastric Mucosa of Patients with Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy

Background and study aim: Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) is a common finding in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension that occurs in between 7% and 98% of cases. High levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in mesentery suggested their contribution in portal hypertension secondary to liver cirrhosis. VEGF participates in regulation of angiogenesis in gastric wall in portal hypertension. The aim was to evaluate the serum concentration of VEGF and gastric mucosal expression of VEGF and its possible association with PHG. Patients and Methods: Serum levels and gastric mucosal expression of VEGF were measured in fifty seven patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertensive gastropathy as well as eleven patients with liver cirrhosis without portal hypertensive gastropathy and another twenty one persons served as control group. They were clinically assessed and laboratory investigations were done including liver biochemical profile, and viral markers. Severity of liver disease was assessed by Child-Pugh, model for end stage liver disease (MELD) and updated (uMELD) scores. The presence of PHG was diagnosed by esophago-gastroduodenoscopy. Results: Serum VEGF increased in patients with liver cirrhosis compared to healthy control. But there was no significant difference between patients with PHG and patients without PHG as regard to serum VEGF.VEGF expression in the gastric mucosa was highly significant in patients with PHG than patients without PHG and control group. Serum VEGF has no correlation with severity of liver disease or PHG grade. Conclusion: VEGF was highly expressed in gastric mucosa rather than elevation of serum VEGF in patients with PHG.

Effect of FOLFOX4 combined with Brucea javanica emulsion on VEGF in patients with gastric cancer.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of FOLFOX4 regimen combined with Brucea javanica emulsion on the content of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with gastric cancer, and to evaluate the efficacy of FOLFOX4 regimen combined with Brucea javanica emulsion on gastric cancer. A total of 60 patients with gastric ulcer were selected as the normal group, and another 150 patients with gastric cancer were randomly divided into two groups, of which 75 patients with gastric cancer treated with FOLFOX4 regimen after operation were selected as the control group and another 75 patients with gastric cancer treated with FOLFOX4 regimen combined with Brucea javanica emulsion after operation were selected as the experimental group. The serum VEGF levels of patients in the different groups before operation, after chemotherapy for 3 times and at 1 and 3 months after chemotherapy were compared via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The content of serum VEGF in patients with gastric cancer before operation was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P<0.05). After administration of chemotherapy 3 times, the content of serum VEGF in the control group had no significant difference from that in the experimental group (P>0.05). Additionally, at 1 and 3 months after chemotherapy, the content of serum VEGF of patients in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The results showed that FOLFOX4 regimen combined with Brucea javanica emulsion can significantly reduce the level of serum VEGF in patients with gastric cancer, and has a certain effect in reducing the postoperative recurrence rate of gastric cancer and improving the effect of chemotherapy.

Combination Therapy with Low Copper Diet, Penicillamine and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Reduces VEGF and IL-8 In Patients with Recurrent Glioblastoma

Purpose:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) appear important in tumor growth. In this study, we have investigated the effect of copper reduction along with gamma knife radiosurgery on IL-8 and VEGF in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).Materials and Methods:In a 3-month randomized clinical trial, patients with recurrent GBM were allocated randomly between intervention and placebo groups. Radiosurgery was performed for both groups (Reference dose: 16-18 Gray, in one fraction). The intervention group received low copper diet and penicillamine while the patients in the placebo group continued with their usual diet. VEGF and IL-8 were measured at baseline and the end of intervention.Results:VEGF in intervention group significantly reduced compared to placebo group (Mean ± SD, 4.5±1.91 vs. 7.8±3.21; P<0.001). IL-8 in intervention group decreased compared to placebo group but not significant (2.7±1.91 vs. 3.2±3.20; P=0.49). We also detected a significant positive correlation between serum copper and VEGF (r=0.57; P<0.05) and a negative correlation between KPS and serum copper.Discussion:Our results could reflect that low copper diet and penicillamine may decrease serum VEGF in patients who underwent gamma knife radiosurgery for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme.

Levels of bone marrow microvessel density are crucial for evaluating the status of acute myeloid leukemia.

The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of bone marrow microvessel density (BM-MVD) in the evaluation of the status of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The levels of serum and bone marrow vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and BM-MVD in 28 patients with AML, 10 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 10 patients with anemia and 14 patients with AML that achieved complete remission for six months (AML-DFS) subsequent to chemotherapy were determined by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. The levels of serum VEGF in patients with hematological disorders were significantly increased compared with the levels in the healthy controls. The levels of BM VEGF and BM-MVD in AML patients were significantly higher compared with the levels in the patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or anemia. Following chemotherapy, the levels of serum VEGF significantly increased and the levels of BM VEGF decreased in the AML patients, regardless of their therapeutic responses, compared with the levels prior to treatment. By contrast, the levels of BM-MVD in the AML patients were significantly reduced in the patients that completely recovered from AML (AML-DFS group), compared with those in other groups. The present data indicate that the levels of BM-MVD are valuable for evaluating the status of AML.

Vascular endothelial growth factor gene (VEGFA) polymorphisms may serve as prognostic factors for recurrent depressive disorder development

Recurrent depressive disorder (rDD) is a multifactorial disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the factors that have been suggested to play a role in the etiology and/or development of this disease. Limited information related to the role of VEGFA gene polymorphism in depressive disorder is available. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between VEGFA gene polymorphisms (+405G/C; rs2010963, +936C/T; rs 3025039), VEGFA gene expression, and its serum protein levels in rDD in the Caucasian population. In the current study, 268 patients and 200 healthy controls of the Caucasian origin were involved. Genotyping and gene expression were performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for detection of circulating serum VEGF levels. The distribution of VEGFA polymorphism +405G/C differed significantly between rDD patients and healthy subjects. The results of this study indicated that the C allele and CC genotype of VEGFA are risk factors for rDD. Haplotypes CC and TG are the important factors for depression development. Further, VEGFA mRNA expression and VEGF levels were higher in rDD patients than in controls. The VEGFA gene polymorphism may serve as a prognostic factor for rDD development. Our study showed higher levels of both VEGFA mRNA in the peripheral blood cells and serum VEGF in patients diagnosed with rDD than in healthy controls. The obtained results suggest VEGF and the gene encoding the molecule play a role in the etiology of the disease and should be further investigated.

Sensitive quantification of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) using porosity induced hydrogel microspheres

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a crucial role in vasculogenesis (blood vessel formation) and angiogenesis (capillary formation from a pre-existing blood vessel). Dysregulation of VEGF has been associated with several diseases including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. As a result, serum level of VEGF has important implications as biomarker for different clinical disorders as well as for subsequent therapy monitoring. A simple detection method capable of rapid and sensitive analysis of VEGF in serum of patients with different clinical disorders is of paramount importance. Here, we report the fabrication and utilization of capture-antibody immobilized macro-porous poly(ethylene) glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel microspheres for quantitative and reproducible measurement of VEGF. We demonstrate that induction of porosity using PEG porogen improves the sensitivity of this simple hydrogel microsphere based system with a detection limit of 2.5pg/ml; indicating that the sensitivity of the assay exceeds that of the conventional technologies.

Serum VEGF in patients (PTS) receiving bevacizimab (BEV) for early-stage breast cancer (ESBC): ICORG 08-10.

e13520 Background: Approximately 30% of pts with ESBC develop metastasis despite apparently curative loco-regional therapy. Angiogenesis, partly mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), may promote metastases. BEV, an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody which has some efficacy in metastatic BC is being studied as an adjuvant in ESBC, but there are no validated biomarkers, and the effect on VEGF levels in pts with ESBC is unknown. We studied VEGF serum concentration in ESBC receiving BEV. Methods: 106 pts with HER-2 negative ESBC were included in this study. Patients received 4 cycles of docetaxel (75 mg/m2) + cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2) with BEV (15 mg/kg) once every three weeks for one year. Serum samples were collected prior to commencement of treatment, at 6 months and 12 months. The VEGF levels in serum samples were determined, at each time point, using a VEGF enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: VEGF concentration was determined in serum samples from 65 patients. Three pts (5%) had no detectable VEGF at 0, 6 and 12 months. The median level of serum VEGF in the remaining 62 patients was 325.4 ± 244 pg/ml. These 62 patients showed a significant decrease in VEGF concentration after 6 and 12 months of treatment (median 9 ± 42.1 pg/ml, p&lt;0.001 and 9 ± 43.9 pg/ml, p&lt;0.001 respectively). However, no significant change in VEGF levels were observed at 12 months compared to 6 months (median 0 ± 60.3 pg/ml, p=0.704). Conclusions: Adjuvant therapy with chemotherapy and BEV is associated with a significant reduction in VEGF levels at 6 months.

Sustained High Level of Serum VEGF at Convalescent Stage Contributes to the Renal Recovery after HTNV Infection in Patients with Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome

To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the increased permeability of vascular endothelial cells after Hantaan virus (HTNV) infection in humans, the concentration of VEGF in serum from HTNV infected patients was quantified with sandwich ELISA. Generally, the level of serum VEGF in patients was elevated to 607.0 (542.2–671.9) pg/mL, which was dramatically higher compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001). There was a rapid increase of the serum VEGF level in all patients from the fever onset to oliguric stage, at which the serum creatinine reached the peak level of the disease, indicating that VEGF may be involved in the pathogenesis of renal hyper-permeability. Moreover, the serum VEGF level at convalescent stage was positively correlated with the degree of the disease severity. The sustained high level of serum VEGF at convalescence was observed in critical HFRS patients, suggesting that VEGF would probably contribute to the renal recovery after the virus clearance. Taken together, our results suggested that the VEGF would be involved in the pathogenesis of renal dysfunction at the oliguric stage after HTNV infection, but may function as a recovery factor during the convalescence to help the body self-repair of the renal injury.

Effect of psoriasis activity on VEGF and its soluble receptors concentrations in serum and plaque scales

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) demonstrating pro-angiogenic activity promote new blood vessel formation in psoriatic lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum concentrations of VEGF, its soluble receptors (sVEGF R1 and R2) and VEGF content in scales of patients with psoriasis. To analyze possible association with activity of the disease, serum and scales from plaques were collected from 59 patients with exacerbated chronic plaque-type psoriasis. Mean concentrations of VEGF and sVEGF R1 in sera of patients were respectively two and four times higher than in healthy controls. Serum VEGF and sVEGF R1, but not sVEGF R2 demonstrated significant correlation with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). There was also significant correlation between VEGF levels in serum and scales. Serum sVEGF R1 concentration was significantly elevated even in patients with low psoriasis activity (PASI < 10), whereas increase of serum VEGF became significant in patients with medium activity (PASI: 10–20). Levels of serum VEGF and sVEGF R1 were the highest in patients with PASI > 20. We confirmed association of both serum and scales VEGF concentrations with degree of psoriasis activity and demonstrated predominant increase of sVEGF R1 vs. VEGF in serum of patients with low psoriasis activity.

Evaluation of the Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose: The study is aiming at investigating the correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as an angiogenic factor and diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients and the effect of panretinal coagulation and glycemic control on VEGF. Methods: The study included 30 patients of type 2 diabetes, 10 of them did not suffer from any of the vascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (group 1), 10 patients had nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (group 2), 10 patients had proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) (group 3) and (group 4), as well as 10 healthy subjects that served as control group. All participants were subjected to complete clinical examination including ophthalmic and medical examination, laboratory investigations comprising complete blood count, liver function test, serum creatinine, 24-hour urinary albumin excretion, lipid profile, fasting and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, HbA_1C and serum VEGF. Results: The study reported a highly significant increase in the serum VEGF in the diabetic patients compared to the control group (p < 0.001), and there was also a highly significant increase in the serum VEGF in the patients with PDR versus nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (40.55 ± 8.28 vs. 20.3 ± 2.45, p < 0.001). There was a reduction in the serum VEGF in a group of diabetic patients with poor glycemic control when their diabetic state corrected through 4 months of follow-up was highly significant (17.29 ± 1.61 before vs. 9.39 ± 0.82 after control p < 0.001) as well as the reduction in the serum VEGF which was observed in a group of patients with PDR when proper panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) was applied to their retinae with 4 months of follow-up (40.55 ± 8.28 before vs. 21.15 ± 1.76 after PRP, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Serum VEGF is significantly increased in diabetic patients, especially those with PDR, and this elevation of VEGF was reduced in uncontrolled diabetic patients with proper gycemic control, and in patients with PDR with proper PRP, indicating that VEGF is an angiogenic factor that reflects the degree of neovascularization in diabetic complications.

The role of vascular endothelial growth factor in the progression of diabetic vascular complications

This study was planned to study the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as an angiogenic factor and different micro- and macrovascular complications in type II diabetic patients and look for a possible role of control on the serum level of VEGF. The study included 55 type II diabetic patients, 10 of them were not complicated with any of the vascular complications of type II diabetes mellitus (DM) (group 1), 21 patients had microvascular complication either retinopathy, nephropathy, or neuropathy (group 2), 14 patients had macrovascular complications either coronary artery disease or peripheral vascular disease (group 3), and 10 patients with mixed micro- and microvascular complications (group 4), as well as 15 healthy subjects served as control group. All subjects were subjected to complete clinical examination, including fundus examination, proper investigations with stress on electrocardiography, electromyography, nerve conduction velocity, Doppler study of the peripheral arteries, and laboratory investigations such as complete blood count, liver function test, serum creatinine, 24-h urinary albumin excretion, lipid profile, fasting and 2-h postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)), and serum VEGF. The study revealed that there was a highly significant increase in the serum VEGF in the diabetic patients compared with the control group. The P-value (P<0.001) was detected and there was also a highly significant increase in the serum VEGF in the patients with different micro- and macrovascular diabetic complications compared with uncomplicated diabetic group (P<0.001). A highly significant increase in the serum VEGF in diabetic patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy was detected compared with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (40.55±8.28 vs20.3±2.45, P<0.001) and in diabetic nephropathic patients with macroalbuminuria compared with those with microalbuminuria (36.14±6.99 vs19.42±2.44, P<0.001). The reduction of the serum VEGF in a group of diabetic patients with poor control when their diabetic state was corrected through 4 months follow-up was highly significant (17.29±1.61 before vs9.39±0.82 after control P<0.001), as well as the reduction of the serum VEGF, which was observed in a group of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) when proper pan retinal photocoagulation (PRP) was applied to their retinae with 4 months follow-up (40.55±8.28 before vs21.15±1.76 after PRP, P<0.001). On the other hand, the impact of some clinical and laboratory parameters of our diabetic patients on the serum VEGF revealed significant positive correlations between serum VEGF and age of the patients, duration of diabetes, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, fasting and 2-h postprandial blood glucose, HbA(1c), serum creatinine, degree of albuminuria and total cholesterol, LDL, and platelet count. Serum VEGF was significantly increased in diabetic patients especially with micro- and macrovascular complications and the proper control of diabetes reduced the elevation of serum VEGF in uncontrolled diabetic patients, and in patients with PDR with proper PRP, indicating that VEGF is an angiogenic factor that reflects the degree of neovascularization in diabetic complications.

Correlation of postoperative serum VEGF levels with platelet counts in non-small cell lung cancer

背景与目的已有研究表明:非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC)患者手术切除原发肿瘤后其血清中血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF)浓度显著升高, 血小板可能是血清中VEGF的主要来源。本研究的目的是探讨NSCLC患者术后血清VEGF浓度的动态变化及其与血小板之间的关系。方法应用酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA)检测法, 监测76例非小细胞肺癌患者术前、术后1天及7天血清VEGF的浓度, 同期检测血小板的浓度。结果① NSCLC患者术前、术后1天及7天血清VEGF分别为(842.06±527.24)pg/mL、(1 119.28±609.62)pg/mL、(1 574.09±873.38)pg/mL, 组间比较差异具有统计学意义(P < 0.001);②NSCLC患者术前、术后1天及7天血小板计数分别为(230.42±82.56)×109/L、(196.47±81.48)×109/L、(237.90±86.94)×109/L, 术后1天最低(P < 0.001);③术后7天在血小板高于均数组血清VEGF浓度为(1 842.86±1 006.63)pg/mL, 低于均数组为(1 398.81±734.00)pg/mL, 两组有统计学差异(P=0.043)。结论NSCLC患者术后血清VEGF浓度显著升高, 血小板计数高的患者中, 其血清VEGF浓度升高更为明显。

Action mechanism of narrow-band ultraviolet B on vascular regulatory factors in psoriasis vulgaris.

Objective To evaluate the influence of narrow-band ultraviolet B on lesional microvessel density (MVD),vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2)as well as on serum VEGF in patients with psoriasis vulgaris(PV).Methods Fifteen patients with PV were recruited into this study with 10 normal human controls.All patients received NB-UVB phototherapy thrice a week for 4-5 weeks.Prior and after the treatment,psoriasis area and severity index (PASI)was calculated,tissue specimens were taken from non-photoexposed lesions,and sera samples were obtained from these patients.Then,MvD and the expression level of VEGF and MMP-2 were measured by immunohistochemical labeled dextran polymer(LDP)method in the tissue specimens.Also,the serum level of VEGF was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results PASI score remarkably decreased in patients after the photothempy(t=13.35,P＜0.01).The MVDs were 20.52±5.02,7.33±1.24 and 4.26±0.79 capillaries per high power field(400 × amplification),in psoriatic lesions before treatment,after treatment,and normal control tissues,respectively,with a significant difference among the three groups (F=97.57,P＜0.05),and a significant increase was observed in the lesions before treatment compared with those after treatment and normal controls.The serum level of VEGF was 307.55±121.65 ng/L in psoriatic lesions before treatment,significantly higher than that after treatment(163.92±95.57 ng/L),and in normal control skin (139.78±79.06 ng/L),whereas there was no significant difference between the latter two groups(P＞0.05).The positivity rate of MMP-2 was similar among the three groups without statistical difference(P＞0.05).In psoriatic patients,a positive correlation was observed among PASI score,MVD,lesional and serum VEGF levels(P＜0.05),also among the MVD,VEGF and MMP-2 levels in lesions(P＜0.05).but lesional MMP-2 was unrelated to PASI score or sgrum VEGF(both P＞0.05).Conclusions NB-UVB may regulate superficial dermal microvascular proliferation by acting on the expression of VEGF in sera and lesions of psoriatic patients.VEGF and MMP-2 may bOth participate in the proliferation process of microvessels,while MMP-2 is unlikely to be involved in the therapeutic mechanism of NB-UVB. Key words: Ultraviolet rays; Psoriasis; Microvascular density; Vascular endothelial growth factors; Matrix metalloproteinase 2