Value Of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Research Articles

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF ENDOSTATIN AND VEGF SERUM LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH BONE SARCOMAS

Introduction. Angiogenesis regulators are of particular interest as new serum markers in cancer patients, since they reflect the intensity of tumor growth and metastasis. Currently, many works are dedicated to the study of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which activates angiogenesis, and endostatin, which inhibits it. However, a comparative study of the diagnostic accuracy of serum levels of these two markers in patients with bone sarcomas has not been conducted yet. Аim. A comparative analysis of the diagnostic accuracy indicators and prognostic significance of VEGF and endostatin in the blood serum of patients with primary malignant bone tumors. Methods. During the study, the levels of endostatin and VEGF in blood serum samples from 123 patients with a newly diagnosed and morphologically verified bone sarcoma were measured. Patients were examined at the Federal State Budgetary Institution “National Medical Research Center of Oncology named after N.N. Blokhin” of the Russian Ministry of Health from July 2001 to December 2022. Sixty age- and gender-matched healthy donors were included in the control group. Results. Median serum concentrations of endostatin and VEGF in the patient group were statistically significantly increased compared to the control group by 1.3 and 1.4 times, respectively (p < 0.01). Statistically significant differences in the serum concentrations of VEGF and endostatin depending on the T category and the tumor grade and stage were not identified. The cut-off value of VEGF was 279 pg/ml, and the cut-off value of endostatin was 121 ng/ml. With the same sensitivity of 75.6%, endostatin is characterized by higher specificity than VEGF (73.0 and 67.6%, respectively). The proportional hazards model characterizing the effect of serum VEGF and endostatin levels on overall and survival was not statistically significant. Conclusion. Endostatin in the blood serum of patients with bone tumors is more informative compared to VEGF; however, both markers are not predictors of overall and survival.

Monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension: the benefic effects of magnesium sulfate, Rosuvastatin and Sildenafil.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by several maladaptive mechanisms: endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, pathological remodeling of the pulmonary arterioles, and cellular hypoxia. These mechanisms all favor progressive pulmonary vasculopathy and progressive right ventricle (RV) dysfunction. This study aims to characterize the experimental model of monocrotaline-induced PAH in rats. Subsequently, by administering Sildenafil, Rosuvastatin, and Magnesium sulfate, we assessed the animals via ultrasonography and assayed biochemical parameters to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment. 42 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six equal groups (n=7) and received a single subcutaneous MCT injection (60 mg/kg dose). Drug therapy with Sildenafil, Rosuvastatin, and Magnesium sulfate in different combinations was initiated 14 days after MCT injection. Fulton Index, RV anterior wall thickness, RV internal diameter, and pulmonary arterial acceleration time/ejection time (PAAT/PAET) were measured. The following biochemical parameters were also measured: endothelin 1(ET1), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). MCT-PAH was a successful experimental model that has fulfilled anatomical, pressure, and biochemical characteristics supporting this fact. Sildenafil monotherapy does not provide any substantial benefit in reducing MCT-PAH. The additive effects of Rosuvastatin + Sildenafil or Sildenafil + Magnesium sulfate significantly reduced the degree of RV hypertrophy and improved RV systolic pressures. However, there were also modest decreases in biochemical parameters compared to Sildenafil alone. The triple drug combination Sildenafil + Rosuvastatin + Magnesium sulfate shows significant results (p<0,001) compared to the previously described drug combinations. The lowest biochemical parameters were recorded: RV anterior wall thickness, RV internal diameter values, and a significant PAAT/PAET ratio improvement. Thanks to their benefits on vascular pathological remodeling, triple drug combinations implicitly reduce ET1, VEGF, NO metabolites, and iNOS values with statistical significance. The beneficial pleiotropic effects of Rosuvastatin combined with Magnesium sulfate (thanks to its potent vasodilator and antioxidant effects) demonstrated its efficacy in this study by improving RV systolic pressures, RV hypertrophy, oxidative stress, and myocardial dysfunction biomarkers.

The role of proangiogenic cytokines in predicting sepsis in febrile neutropenic children with cancer.

We assessed the relationship between sepsis occurrence and the serum levels of angiopoietin (Ang-1, Ang-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) in pediatric patients with cancer-related febrile neutropenia. Fifty-two children with malignant tumors who experienced 86 episodes of febrile neutropenia (FN) were examined between June 2016 and June 2018. Each FN episode was considered a separate event and the total number of FNs were recorded (86 FN episodes = FN group). The control group consisted of 21 healthy children. Ang-1, Ang-2, VEGF-A and sFlt-1 were measured at the baseline and 48th hour of each FN episode -alongside routine characterization of inflammation (C-reactive protein; white blood cell and absolute neutrophil count). Among the episodes, 29 (34.5%) developed sepsis while 57 were classified as non-complicated FN. The baseline values of patients and controls were significantly different for Ang-1, Ang-2, VEGF and sFlt-1 values (all, p < 0.05). In the subgroup with sepsis, Ang-2 values were higher than in the subgroup without sepsis (p = 0.017). In predicting sepsis, Ang-2 had 60.7% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity at the 74.6 cut-off value (AUC: 0.662 [95%CI: 0.541 - 0.783], p = 0.022), Ang-2 / Ang-1 ratio had 65.5% sensitivity and 60.0% specificity at the 0.405 cut-off value (AUC: 0.633 [95%CI: 0.513 - 0.753], p = 0.046). Our results reveal that Ang-2 and Ang-2/Ang-1 were higher in the sepsis group and Ang-2 might be a biomarker to indicate the risk of sepsis in patients with FN and/or cancer.

Effects of the pyriproxyfen and fenthion on the gonadal morphology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus: Perciformes, Cichlidae).

Commercially available insecticides present acute toxicity to the health of fish and other aquatic organisms, which may impair the local aquaculture. This study evaluated the gonadal morphology of freshwater fish exposed to pyriproxyfen and fenthion. Forty-five juvenile male Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) were divided into control, pyriproxyfen-exposed (0.01 g/L), and fenthion-exposed (0.001 g/L) groups. They were evaluated in three moments (30, 60, and 90 days). The variables analyzed were the gonadosomatic index (GSI), weight to length ratio, seminiferous tubules morphometry (diameter and height), tissue damage, and immunohistochemical analysis for caspase-3, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Pyriproxyfen and fenthion injured the seminiferous tubule tissue, and the damage progressed according to the exposure time. In addition, the GSI gradually reduced over time in all groups compared with the first moment (30 days), while caspase-3, TNF-α, and VEGF values increased only in the fenthion-exposed group. Therefore, pyriproxyfen and fenthion changed the gonadal morphology of male Oreochromis niloticus, which may affect their reproduction in the wild or captivity.

Endotoxin-Induced Sepsis on Ceftriaxone-Treated Rats' Ventilatory Mechanics and Pharmacokinetics.

Sepsis can trigger acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which can lead to a series of physiological changes, modifying the effectiveness of therapy and culminating in death. For all experiments, male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were split into the following groups: control and sepsis-induced by endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS); the control group received only intraperitoneal saline or saline + CEF while the treated groups received ceftriaxone (CEF) (100 mg/kg) IP; previously or not with sepsis induction by LPS (1 mg/kg) IP. We evaluated respiratory mechanics, and alveolar bronchial lavage was collected for nitrite and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) quantification and cell evaluation. For pharmacokinetic evaluation, two groups received ceftriaxone, one already exposed to LPS. Respiratory mechanics shows a decrease in total airway resistance, dissipation of viscous energy, and elastance of lung tissues in all sepsis-induced groups compared to the control group. VEGF and NOx values were higher in sepsis animals compared to the control group, and ceftriaxone was able to reduce both parameters. The pharmacokinetic parameters for ceftriaxone, such as bioavailability, absorption, and terminal half-life, were smaller in the sepsis-induced group than in the control group since clearance was higher in septic animals. Despite the pharmacokinetic changes, ceftriaxone showed a reduction in resistance in the airways. In addition, CEF lowers nitrite levels in the lungs and acts on their adverse effects, reflecting pharmacological therapy of the disease.

Risk Factors and VEGF, hs-CRP, and ESR in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and analyze the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and CSC. A total of 109 patients diagnosed with CSC (CSC group) at our ophthalmology clinic from February 2017 to February 2021 were included, with 103 volunteers from our hospital's health examination center serving as the control group. Additionally, the new multimodal imaging classification of 109 CSC patients was further divided into simple CSC (57 cases) and complex CSC (52 cases). Demographic data, underlying diseases, medical history, and medication history were collected. Levels of VEGF, hs-CRP, and ESR were measured, and multifactorial logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing CSC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to assess the diagnostic value of VEGF, hs-CRP, and ESR in CSC. The CSC group showed a higher proportion of males, smoking history, alcohol consumption, comorbid obstructive sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, renal disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, steroid use, and shift work compared to the control group (P < 0.05). VEGF, hs-CRP, and ESR levels were significantly higher in the CSC group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The levels of VEGF, hs-CRP, and ESR in the complex CSC group were higher than those in the simple CSC group (P < 0.05). Male gender, shift work, Helicobacter pylori infection, hypothyroidism, elevated VEGF, hs-CRP, and ESR were identified as risk factors for CSC (P < 0.05). The combined diagnostic value of VEGF, hs-CRP, and ESR (area under the ROC curve: 0.886) was higher than that of individual markers (0.722, 0.728, and 0.703, respectively) (P < 0.05). Male gender, shift work, Helicobacter pylori infection, hypothyroidism, and elevated levels of VEGF, hs-CRP, and ESR are risk factors for CSC. The combined use of VEGF, hs-CRP, and ESR demonstrates higher diagnostic efficiency in identifying CSC.

Эндотелиальная дисфункция сосудов как возможный предиктор тяжелого течения COVID-19

Objective. To study the role of the main marker of endothelial dysfunction VEGF-A as a possible predictor of severe COVID-19 formation. Patients and methods. On the basis of the clinic of the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Epidemiology, Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (RSSPMCEMIPD) and Samarkand Regional Specialized Medical Center, 210 patients with coronavirus infection were examined during 2020–2022. Patients were divided into 2 groups comparable by main characteristics: I consisted of 98 (47%) patients with a moderate form of COVID-19, II – 112 (53%) with a severe form of the disease. All patients were fully examined at admission to the hospital and at discharge from it. The level of medium molecular peptides (MMP) in blood plasma was determined by the method of N.I.Gabrielyan on spectrophotometer SF-46 in ultraviolet spectrum; the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) – in 163 patients – and interleukins 1 and 6 (IL-1, IL-6) in blood serum – by enzyme immunoassay (test systems of Cytokin LLC and Vector-Best JSC). The level of C-reactive protein (CRP) was determined using the immunoenzyme analyzer "MINDRAY MR-96A"; procalcitonin and D-dimer values were determined using an automatic ELISA analyzer mini-VIDAS. The obtained results were processed by methods of descriptive and variation statistics. Differences were considered reliable at (p &lt; 0.05). Results. The clinical picture of COVID-19 complicated by pneumonia was characterized by pronounced symptoms of intoxication, respiratory tract damage, respiratory failure. In group II patients, such comorbidities as ischemic heart disease (23.5 vs. 41.1%), arterial hypertension (9.2 vs. 25.4%), and diabetes mellitus (2.0 vs. 12.5%) were recorded significantly more often. In 119 (56.7%) cases (mostly in the group with severe coronavirus infection), there was a combination of several comorbidities. In 36 (17.1%) patients with elevated blood sugar level before hospitalization for COVID-19 neither clinical nor laboratory signs of diabetes ellitus were present; in group II stable elevated blood sugar level against the background of therapy of the main disease was recorded 2 times more often (23.2 vs. 10.2%, respectively). In the same group, the level of CPR was 1.5 times higher. A significant correlation (p &lt; 0.05) of elevated levels of CRP and D-dimer with the severity of COVID-19 course was established. In 163 patients the mean values of VEGF-A on admission were elevated; in patients from group II this index was significantly (p &lt; 0.01) higher: 303.02 ± 21.47 vs. 390.52 ± 29.05 pg/mL. At discharge, this index increased to 466.56 ± 37.59 pg/mL in group II patients and decreased to 237.60 ± 17.03 pg/mL in group I patients (differences were significant; p &lt; 0.01). In group I, this index returned to normal after 1 month, and in group II, it decreased to 205.05 ± 15.90 pg/mL only 2 months after discharge. A reliable correlation (p &lt; 0.05) of elevated levels of D-dimer, CRP, MMP with high VEGF-A levels, as well as with the severity of the disease and increasing respiratory failure was established. Positive results of bacteriologic study of upper respiratory tract secretions were found in 63 (64.3%) patients of group I and in 78 (69.6%) patients of group II; Staphylococcus aureus predominated in patients from group II (11.1 vs. 38.5%) and Candida spp (85.7 vs. 28.2%) from group I. Conclusion. The relationship between blood levels of VEGF-A and standard inflammatory markers allows us to propose this factor of endothelial dysfunction as a predictor of inflammation and disease progression, as well as to use it to assess the efficacy of therapy. Key words: bacterial pneumonia, novel coronavirus infection, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, vascular endothelial growth factor, endothelial dysfunction

Correlation between serum microRNA-122 and VEGF expression and pregnancy outcome in gestational diabetes mellitus patients.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) seriously influences the health of mothers and babies, and there are still no effective early diagnostic markers. Therefore, our study planned to probe the correlation between serum microRNA-122 and VEGF expression and pregnancy outcome in GDM patients. This was a retrospective study of the correlation between serum microRNA-122 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and pregnancy outcome in GDM patients. Sixty GDM patients admitted to the Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang from January 2021 to October 2022 were included in the research group (RG), and another 60 healthy pregnant women were included in the control group (CG). Serum miR-122 and VEGF levels were quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The value of miR-122 and VEGF in predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve. Serum miR-122 and VEGF levels in the RG were higher relative to the CG. The total occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the RG was higher relative to the CG (P<0.05). Serum miR-122 together with VEGF levels in the poor outcome group was higher relative to the good outcome group (P<0.05). ROC analysis revealed that miR-122 and VEGF could be used to predict adverse pregnancy outcome (P<0.0001). The area under the curve of miR-122 was 0.860, 95% confidence interval (CI) =0.793-0.926, and the area under the curve of VEGF was 0.780, 95% CI =0.694-0.866. Serum levels of miR-122, VEGF were positively related with abortion, preterm delivery, low birth weight infants, macrogenesis infants, and fetal development abnormalities (P<0.001). The higher serum miR-122 and VEGF levels in GDM patients with satisfactory blood glucose control, the greater the probability of adverse pregnancy outcome, which should be paid attention to by clinicians.

Preoperative Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor as a predictor of malignant ovarian tumor

Background: Effective biomarkers for accurate characterization of newly diagnosed ovarian tumors and adnexal masses are of paramount importance. The availability of an ideal serum marker is highly recommended. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may be considered as a predictor of ovarian cancer. Objective: This study explored the efficacy of preoperative serum VEGF for detection of malignant ovarian tumor. Methods: This cross sectional analytical study was conducted among 86 patients who were enrolled for this study according to final histopathology report and who did not receive any kind of treatment. Serum levels of VEGF-A were determined by using ELISA method. ROC curve was plotted to achieve the best cutoff value of serum VEGF. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the VEGF distribution across sub-groups of patients. Result: A statistically significant difference in the levels of serum VEGF level was observed between benign and malignant ovarian tumor patients. Ovarian cancer patients had a higher preoperative median S. VEGF level of 753.8 pg/ml than that of benign ovarian masses (median 241.8 pg/ml; p value 0.001). The ability of serum VEGF to differentiate malignancy from benign masses at a cut-off value of 547.85 pg/ml gave a sensitivity of 90.1%, a specificity of 93.5%. Conclusion: This study revealed that preoperative serum VEGF may be used as a feasible vascular marker and predictor of malignant ovarian tumors. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2023; 49: 183-189

Serum biomarkers and disease progression in CT-negative mild traumatic brain injury.

Blood proteins are emerging as potential biomarkers for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Molecular pathology of mTBI underscores the critical roles of neuronal injury, neuroinflammation, and vascular health in disease progression. However, the temporal profile of blood biomarkers associated with the aforementioned molecular pathology after CT-negative mTBI, their diagnostic and prognostic potential, and their utility in monitoring white matter integrity and progressive brain atrophy remain unclear. Thus, we investigated serum biomarkers and neuroimaging in a longitudinal cohort, including 103 CT-negative mTBI patients and 66 matched healthy controls (HCs). Angiogenic biomarker vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) exhibited the highest area under the curve of 0.88 in identifying patients from HCs. Inflammatory biomarker interleukin-1β and neuronal cell body injury biomarker ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 were elevated in acute-stage patients and associated with deterioration of cognitive function from acute-stage to 6-12mo post-injury period. Notably, axonal injury biomarker neurofilament light (NfL) was elevated in acute-stage patients, with higher levels associated with impaired white matter integrity in acute-stage and progressive gray and white matter atrophy from 3- to 6-12mo post-injury period. Collectively, our findings emphasized the potential clinical value of serum biomarkers, particularly NfL and VEGF, in diagnosing mTBI and monitoring disease progression.

Diagnostic values of serum BNP, PTX3, and VEGF in acute pulmonary embolism complicated by pulmonary artery hypertension and their correlations with severity of pulmonary artery hypertension.

This paper aimed to unveil the diagnostic values of serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), pentraxin 3 (PTX3), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in acute pulmonary embolism complicated by pulmonary artery hypertension (APE-PAH) and their correlations with severity of PAH. A total of 153 patients with APE were selected for our study and divided into the PAH and Non-PAH groups according to the measurement of pulmonary artery pressure by echocardiography. Serum BNP levels were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay, and serum PTX3 and VEGF levels were appraised by ELISA. The predictive values of BNP, PTX3, and VEGF for APE-PAH were evaluated by applying the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Spearman test was implemented to correlate BNP, PTX3, and VEGF with the severity of PAH. Higher serum levels of BNP, PTX3, and VEGF were observed in the PAH group versus the Non-PAH group (p < .05). ROC curve analysis indicated that BNP, PTX3, and VEGF had acceptable diagnostic value for predicting APE-PAH. Higher serum levels of BNP, PTX3, and VEGF were witnessed in the moderate and severe PAH groups in contrast to the mild PAH group (p < .05), and the levels of these parameters were elevated in the severe PAH group versus the moderate PAH group (p < .05). Spearman correlation analysis signified that serum BNP (r = 0.377), PTX3 (r = 0.488), and VEGF (r = 0.575) levels were positively correlated with the severity of PAH in APE-PAH patients. Serum BNP, PTX3, and VEGF levels are significantly elevated in APE-PAH patients. Serum BNP, PTX3, and VEGF levels are of clinical value in the diagnosis of APE-PAH patients, and serum BNP, PTX3, and VEGF levels are positively correlated with the severity of PAH and can be used as predictors of the severity of PAH.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Combined With 2D Strain Imaging and Histopathological Multimodal Assessment of Carotid Plaque Vulnerability.

The aim of this study was to explore the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with 2-D strain imaging in evaluating carotid plaque vulnerability and the correlations among CEUS perfusion parameters, strain parameters and histopathological findings in different plaque segments. Patients with carotid artery stenosis who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from September 2020 to June 2021 underwent preoperative carotid artery 2-D ultrasonography and CEUS. The plaques were divided into three segments: the proximal end of the shoulder, central cap and distal end of the shoulder. The peak intensity (PI) value and strain rate parameters of the regions of interest were analyzed. Plaques were divided into a stable group (8 cases) and an unstable group (19 cases). The microvascular density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression of each patch in the unstable group were analyzed. The peak strain during the systolic period in each plaque segment in both groups showed the following pattern: proximal end shoulder > distal end shoulder > top (p < 0.05). The PI value for CEUS is also represented. In the unstable group, the PI values of each segment of the plaque were positively correlated with the MVD, near-center PI value and VEGF average optical density value. The average optical density of each segment was positively correlated with the MVD (p < 0.05). There were positive correlations between the PI values of the proximal and distal shoulder and the strain values (p < 0.05), and the MVD value of each segment, VEGF value and strain value were positively correlated (p < 0.05). PI and the pathological tissue components represented by CEUS were positively correlated with the mechanical parameters of the plaque along the long axis. There may be overlap between the high shear stress area of the plaque and the neovascular aggregation area, and the combination of the two has certain significance for assessing the vulnerability of the plaque.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression in Breast Carcinoma and its Association with Expression of Estrogen Receptors, Progesterone Receptors and HER-2/neu and Molecular Subtypes

Background: The management of breast carcinoma depends on several molecular markers and tumor stages. In the last decades, estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and HER-2/neu have shown good therapeutic responses. Among other molecular markers, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is becoming more widely used as a prognostic indicator in patients with breast carcinoma. Anti-VEGF therapy already has been proven as an effective chemotherapeutic agent in some other carcinomas. The study aimed to find out the immunohistochemical expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in breast carcinoma and its possible correlation with the expression of ER, PR, and HER-2/neu and molecular subtypes to evaluate its prognostic value. Material &amp; Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka, from March 2018 to January 2020. In this study, 45 diagnosed cases of breast carcinoma were enrolled. Slides of all cases were stained with ER, PR, HER-2/neu, and VEGF antibodies following the avidin-biotin-peroxidase staining method. Results: Among 45 cases, 60% showed positive immunohistochemical expression of VEGF. Most of these cases (71.1%) were ER/PR positive. VEGF did not show a significant association with other molecular markers or molecular subtypes. Conclusion: Although, the potential prognostic value of VEGF has not been confirmed. Based on the findings of the current study, it can be assumed that VEGF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. So, it may serve as a useful biomarker for immuno-targeting therapy in patients with breast cancer.

Structural and functional state of postinfarction myocardium and vascular endothelial growth factor: is there a connection?

Purpose of the study. To reveal the relationship between the serum concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor and the structural and functional state of the myocardium in patients in the post-infarction period at the stage of rehabilitation.Materials and methods. We examined 94 patients at the outpatient stage of rehabilitation after ad hoc stenting 6 weeks after myocardial infarction, 10 healthy volunteers without somatic pathology. All participants in the study underwent standard transthoracic echocardiography with assessment of thickness of epicardial fat, assessment of the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in peripheral blood by ELISA.Results and discussion. VEGF values above the median values were associated with lower left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fraction shortening, which indirectly may indicate a more pronounced expression of VEGF in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Assessing the parameters of LV diastolic dysfunction in groups with different levels of VEGF, no significant differences were found in patients after myocardial infarction. Correlation relationships between the content of VEGF and the thickness of epicardial adipose tissue were not found either among patients or in the control group.Conclusions. Elevated VEGF values in patients with coronary artery disease at the 6th week of rehabilitation were accompanied by left ventricle systolic dysfunction, in contrast to diastolic dysfunction. There was no direct correlation between the thickness of epicardial fat and the concentration of VEGF in the blood serum in patients with coronary artery disease.

Elevated Preoperative Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Does Not Predict Poor Outcomes in Curatively Resected Non-metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treated Without Neoadjuvant Therapy.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) influences colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and is a key target in the treatment for metastatic CRC. However, the oncological impact of preoperative circulating VEGF in non-metastatic CRC (non-mCRC) has not been clearly elucidated. Herein, we have investigated the prognostic significance of elevated preoperative serum VEGF concentration in curatively resected non-mCRC without neoadjuvant therapy. A total of 474 patients with pStage I-III CRC who underwent curative resection without neoadjuvant therapy were included. The relationship between preoperative serum VEGF concentration and clinicopathologic characteristics, overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were investigated. The median follow-up duration was 47.4 months. No significant relationship between preoperative VEGF and clinicopathologic characteristics including tumor markers, pStage, and lymphovascular invasion was identified; however, VEGF values were wide-ranged in every pStage. Patients were categorized into four groups as follows: VEGF < median, median to 75th percentile, 75th percentile to 90th percentile, and ≥90th percentile. A tendency for a difference in 5-year OS (p=0.064) and RFS (p=0.089) was observed among the groups; however, OS and RFS were not correlated with VEGF elevation. In multivariate analyses, VEGF ≥90th percentile was paradoxically associated with better RFS. Preoperative elevated serum VEGF concentration was associated with neither worse clinicopathological characteristics nor worse long-term outcomes in curatively resected non-mCRC. The prognostic value of preoperative circulating VEGF in initially resectable non-mCRC remains limited.

Predictive value of serum HIF-1α and VEGF for arrhythmia in acute coronary syndrome patients.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been widely used in the alleviation of myocardial ischemia in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the incidence of reperfusion arrhythmia (RA) after PCI is high, which seriously affects the prognosis of ACS patients. Therefore, this study aimed to study the predictive value of serum HIF-1α and VEGF levels before PCI for RA in ACS patients post PCI. A total of 200 ACS patients who underwent PCI were selected and divided into those with RA after PCI (RA, n = 93) and those without RA after PCI (non-RA, n = 107) according to Lown grade. Spearman correlation analysis was applied for the relationship between serum hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and Lown grade. Patients with RA after PCI tended to have higher levels of creatine kinase muscle and brain isoenzyme (CK-MB), serum HIF-1α and VEGF before surgery. Low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), high CK-MB, high serum VEGF and HIF-1α were risk factors for RA in ACS patients within 24 h after PCI. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that serum HIF-1α and VEGF levels could predict RA in ACS patients after PCI, and the combined detection could increase the sensitivity of single HIF-1α detection and the specificity of single VEGF detection. Lown grade was positively correlated with the serum HIF-1α and VEGF concentrations. In conclusion, serum HIF-1α and VEGF levels before PCI are risk factors for the occurrence of RA in ACS patients after PCI, and have certain predictive values for the occurrence of RA in ACS patients after PCI.

Study on the diagnostic value of VEGF, CA19-9 and CEA in pancreatic cancer and the risk factors of vascular invasion

Background: Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. Due to its insidious onset, most patients with newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer have missed the opportunity for radical surgery, which offers patients the best chance of survival. The 5-year survival rate of patients with pancreatic cancer can be improved with early diagnosis, and serum tumor makers are an inexpensive and convenient diagnostic tool that is widely used in the diagnosis of malignancies. Objective: To determine the diagnostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in patients with pancreatic cancer and the risk factors of vascular invasion. Methods: An experimental group comprising 52 patients with pancreatic cancer admitted to our department from July 2021 to July 2022 and a control group comprising 21 patients with benign pancreatic diseases during the same period were included in our study. Their serum VEGF, CA 19-9, and CEA levels were detected and compared between the two groups, and the correlation between the three markers in the invaded vessel and non-invaded vessel groups was investigated. The diagnostic value of a single tumor marker and in combination for pancreatic cancer was analyzed, and the three tumor marker levels of the experimental group in different pathological characteristics were detected and compared. Results: The experimental group had higher serum VEGF, CA 19-9, and CEA levels than the control group (P &lt; 0.05). Through a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the combined detection had the highest value for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, in which the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.9158 (95% CI: 0.8415–0.9900), while the sensitivity and specificity were 76.19% and 98.08%, respectively. Serum VEGF and CA 19-9 levels were higher in stage III–IV pancreatic cancer patients and those with tumor metastasis compared with stage I–II patients and those without metastasis (P &lt; 0.05), respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors of vascular invasion in pancreatic cancer, and the results showed that only serum VEGF was a risk factor (P &lt; 0.05), OR (95% CI): 1.001–1.006. Conclusion: Patients with pancreatic cancer have significantly higher serum VEGF, CA 19-9, and CEA levels, and the combined detection of tumor markers is of high clinical value in its diagnosis. In addition, serum VEGF is an independent risk factor of vascular invasion in pancreatic cancer, which can predict vascular invasion to a certain extent.

Association of vascular endothelial growth factor serum levels with ankylosing spondylitis in Egyptian patients

BackgroundAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is one of inflammatory rheumatic diseases which result in wide range of manifestations on the musculoskeletal system and axial joint specifically. Endothelial cell migration and proliferation, as well as subsequent neoangiogenesis and remodelling in autoimmune disorders, are pathogenic mechanisms that are fundamental to inflammation activation and angiogenesis. The development of advanced lesions is thought to involve vascular proliferation as well as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which serves a regulatory role. It was found that AS patients had increased serum levels of VEGF, which were linked to the disease activity.Aim of the workThe purpose of this study is to measure serum VEGF levels in Egyptian AS patients and assess their relation to disease-related variables, including radiographic findings.ResultsVEGF serum levels showed a highly significant positive correlation with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and modified Stroke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (MSASS) (p < 0.001); also, there was a significant correlation between the VEGF values and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (ASDAS) and the New York x-ray sacroiliac score.ConclusionsThese findings and data illustrate the strong relationship between ASDAS and VEGF and the radiographic score in AS patients. ASDAS combined with VEGF not only is considered a tool for determining the level of disease activity only but also is considered as an indicator for the assessment of the syndesmophytes formation, which performs a crucial role in the prognosis and outcome in AS patients.

Comprehensive assessment of the dynamics of angiogenesis in patients with psoriasis treated with methotrexate

Background. Evaluation of the severity of pathological angiogenesis in patients with psoriasis can be considered as a promising direction for monitoring the activity of the disease and the effectiveness of systemic therapy.&#x0D; Aims. Evaluation of interconnections between indicators of angiogenesis in the skin and nail bed of psoriasis patients with clinical characteristics of disease course and therapeutic response to the use of methotrexate by a comprehensive study of the morphometric data dynamics of videodermatoscopy in vascular bed of the skin, the severity of blood flow in the dermis and nail bed during ultrasonic power dopplerography and plasma concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelin-1 (En-1).&#x0D; Materials and methods. Work is based on the data analysis from a survey of 82 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris in the acute stage, who were first prescribed methotrexate in the form of subcutaneous injections at a dose of 1015 mg per week in combination with folic acid 5 mg per week. Before treatment and three months after the start of methotrexate therapy, all patients underwent videodermatoscopy with dimension of the density and size of dilated skin capillaries, ultrasonography of psoriatic plaques and nail bed of affected nails and measurement of doppler blood flow parameters and concentration of VEGF and En-1 in blood plasma.&#x0D; Results. A direct correlation was established between the average diameter of dilated skin capillaries (vascular glomeruli), the degree of increased blood flow in the doppler energy study of psoriatic plaques skin area and the plasma concentration of VEGF and En-1 and values of PASI, BSA, sPGA and DLQI indices, as well as the severity of doppler blood flow of the nail bed and NAPSI index (r = 0.210.73). Under the influence of methotrexate treatment, a decrease in diameter and density of vascular glomeruli (16.2 [12.9; 22.5] versus 25.2 [17.1; 33.7] m before treatment (p = 0.002) and (44.6 [31.6; 53.3] versus 53.5 [34.6; 67.4] before treatment (p = 0.04), respectively), the degree of blood flow in area of psoriatic plaques and the concentration of VEGF and En-1 (12.5 [6.7; 26.8] pg/ml versus 19.5 [4.7; 48.1] pg/ml after treatment (p = 0.002) and En-1 (168.2 [97; 319] versus 274.5 [146; 439] pg/ml(p = 0.003), respectively) was observed.&#x0D; Conclusions. Studied indicators of angiogenesis can be used as additional criteria for assessing the degree of activity and achieving clinical improvement/remission during systemic therapy in patients with moderate and severe psoriasis.

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.