Levels Of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor In Group Research Articles

The Role of Polylactic-Coglycolic Acid-Coated Electrospinning Nanoscaffold-Mediated Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Its Relationship with Vitamin D Receptor

Using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polylactic coglycolic acid (PLGA), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1) as raw materials, PLGA-coated electrospun nanoscaffold (ESNS) PVA-TGF-β1@PLGA was prepared by the coaxial ES method. Its characterization was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Seventy-five healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly rolled into the control group (no treatment, group C), model group (intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) model, group M), and nanofiber scaffold group (implant PVA- TGF-β1@PLGA, group P). HE staining was adopted to visualize the histological morphology of the intervertebral disc (IVD) endplate in the different groups. Sox-9, Collagen type II, and Aggrecan genes in different groups of IVD endplate tissues were detected by qPCR. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Wnt3α, β-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), and vitamin D receptor (VDR) protein in IVD endplate tissues of different groups was detected by immunohistochemistry. IVD VDR protein and IDD-related protein levels were detected by Western blot. Linear trend tests and correlations were adopted to analyze the relationship between different degrees of IDD and VDR level. The results showed that the average particle size of the PVA-TGF-β1@PLGA NSs was approximately 415 nm, and Fourier infrared detection proved that PVA-TGF-β1@PLGA NSs were prepared. Sox-9, Collagen Type II, and Aggrecan gene levels in group M were notably inferior to those in group C (P < 0.05). Sox-9, collagen type II, and aggrecan gene levels in group P were substantially increased versus group M (P < 0.05). β-catenin level in groups P and M was greatly superior to that in group C (P < 0.05). GSK-3β and VEGF levels in group P were increased relative to group M (P < 0.05), while that of Wnt3α was decreased (P < 0.05). Western blotting confirmed that there was a negative relationship between the expression of IDD-related proteins and VDR. The results showed that PLGA-coated ESNS could promote Collagen II expression in the matrix of the nucleus pulposus (NP), reduce proteoglycan loss, and promote cell proliferation and differentiation by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (Wnt/β Sig). VDR level was negatively correlated with the development of IDD in rats.

Pengaruh Spirulina terhadap VEGF dari Trofoblast Tikus Putih Hamil Strain Wistar yang Diinduksi Interleukin 6

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder with hypertension as one of its common symptoms. Preeclampsia in pregnancy is characterized by increasing of proteinuria, blood pressure and also interleukin 6. Spirulina sp is a thread like shaped blue-green algae, similar to chain of cylindrical cells with 1 to 12 μm diameter of cell membrane. The purpose of this research was to know the effect of spirulina on VEGF level in improving of trophoblast function in pregnant white Rats Wistar. The design of the study was laboratory experimental with post-test only control group design. Twenty-five rats with preeclampsia model induced by interleukin 6, were divided into 5 groups. The groups were control group, positive control group (P0) injected by interleukin-6 dose of 5 ng/ 100 gram body weight (BW), group with spirulina dose of 10 mg/100 gram BW (P1), group with spirulina dose of 20 mg/100 gram BW (P2); and group with spirulina dosage 40 mg/100 gram BW (P3). The Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were in experimental groups measured compared to control. The averages of group spirulina were 81.31 (10 mg/100 gram BW), 65.99 (20 mg/100 gram BW), and 49.62 (40 mg/100 gram BW). In comparison with control group (62.70), VEGF level in group administered by spirulina dose of 20 mg/100 gram BW were close to control group.

Differences in efficacy between drug-eluting beads transbronchial arterial chemoembolization combined with systemic chemotherapy and systemic chemotherapy alone for unresectable lung squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: To investigate the differences in efficacy between drug-eluting beads transbronchial arterial chemoembolization (DEB-BACE) combined with systemic chemotherapy and systemic chemotherapy alone for unresectable lung squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Totally 60 cases of unresectable lung squamous cell carcinoma undergoing systemic chemotherapy in Yancheng Third People Hospital were retrospectively selected as the research object. According to patients' wishes, they were divided into chemotherapy-only group (group A) and combined treatment group (group B). Group A received gemcitabine combined with cisplatin chemotherapy. DEB-BACE was applied in the first half, and systemic chemotherapy was administered in the second half (starting 3 d after BACE). The first half and the second half of the chemotherapy dose were 1/2 of the drug dose in the chemotherapy alone group. The short-term efficacy, incidence of toxic side effects, peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets, serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, and survival time were compared between the two groups. Results: After 2 cycles of treatment, the total effective rates of group A and group B were 50.0% (15/30) and 76.7% (23/30) (P<0.05), the incidence of nausea and vomiting (63.3% vs 20.0%), decreased appetite (76.7% vs 43.3%), hair loss (86.7% vs 40.0%), and bone marrow suppression (40.0% vs 10.0%) in group A were higher than in group B (all P<0.05). After 2 cycles of treatment, the levels of CD3(+), CD4(+)and CD4(+)/CD8(+)in the two groups were higher than before treatment (group A: 47.7%±6.6% vs 52.3%±7.7%, 31.5%±4.9% vs 34.7%±5.8%, 1.05±0.24 vs 1.18±0.32; group B: 49.2%±7.0% vs 62.0%±14.0%,29.2%±5.5% vs 42.2%±7.3%, 1.07±0.26 vs 1.39±0.42; all P<0.05), while the level of CD8(+)was lower than before treatment (group A: 30.4%±5.4% vs 24.5%±4.8%; group B: 29.5%±4.1% vs 21.1%±4.5%; all P<0.05). The CD3(+), CD4(+), and CD4(+)/CD8(+) levels in group A were lower than those in group B (P<0.05), while CD8(+)level was higher than in group B (P<0.05). After 2 cycles of treatment, the VEGF levels in the two groups were lower than before treatment (group A: (423±85) vs (352±64) ng/L; group B: (404±114) vs (296±66) ng/L; P<0.05), and the VEGF level in group A was higher than that in group B (P<0.05). The 1-year survival rates of groups A and B were 54.9% and 77.9%, and the 2-year survival rates were 17.2% and 41.7% (Log rank χ(2)=4.750, P=0.029). Conclusion: DEB-BACE combined with systemic chemotherapy is superior to systemic chemotherapy in the treatment of unresectable lung squamous cell carcinoma. It can reduce toxic and side effects, improve immune function and prolong survival time, which is worthy of clinical application.

VEGF and sFLT-1 in serum of PIH patients and effects on the foetus.

The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) in the serum of patients with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) syndrome and its effects on the foetus was explored. A total of 105 cases of PIH pregnant women admitted to The First People's Hospital of Changzhou from March 2015 to February 2018 were divided into 3 groups according to the severity of the patients condition. Group A (n=35) was hypertension complicating pregnancy, group B (n=46) was mild preeclampsia and group C (n=24) was severe preeclampsia. In addition, 35 healthy pregnant women were selected as the control group. VEGF and sFLT-1 levels in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and the correlations between levels of VEGF and sFLT-1, neonatal weight and Apgar score were analyzed. Compared with group A, the level of serum VEGF was lower, while the level of sFLT-1 was higher in groups B and C (P<0.05). Compared with group B, the serum VEGF level in group C decreased significantly (P<0.05), while the serum level of sFLT-1 increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with group A, neonatal weight and Apgar score in group C was significantly lower (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the serum VEGF level and neonatal weight and Apgar score (r=0.435, P<0.001. r=0.357, P<0.001). There was a negative correlation between the serum sFLT-1 level and neonatal weight and Apgar score (r=−0.351, P<0.001. r=−0.422, P<0.001). Therefore, we concluded that VEGF and sFlt-1 may be involved in the occurrence and development of PIH. The decrease of serum VEGF level and the increase of sFlt-1 level may be related to the inhibited fetal growth and development, which is of great significance in the clinical detection of PIH patients.

Comparison of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Concentration in Porcine Kidneys Removed From Living Donors After Cardiac and Brain Death

The aim of this paper was to describe the differences in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration in porcine kidneys removed from living donors (group I), donors after prior induction of brain death by brain herniation (group II), and donors after cardiopulmonary arrest (group III). The groups consisted of 6 animals which underwent dual renal removal procedures; kidneys were rinsed, stored for 24 hours at 4°C and rinsed again. Renal specimens (4g) were collected before and after perfusion (time 0 and 1), after 12 hours (time 2), and after reperfusion (time 3). A Western blot was used to evaluate VEGF concentration in collected tissues homogenates. Additionally, the levels of VEGF, interleukin 1β, tumor necrosis factor α, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Directly after the removal procedure, no significant differences in VEGF levels (IOD) were observed depending on the donor (moderate levels were observed in all groups: 1.51 in group I, 1.48 in group II, and 1.35 in group III). As a consequence of perfusion and 12 hours of storage, a stable concentration in groups I and III was observed with a gradual increase of VEGF levels in group II (1.23, 2.08, and 1.67 in the respective groups at time 1; 1.49, 2.12, and 1.63 in the respective groups at time 2). After the following 12 hours, a statistically significant (P < .05) higher level of VEGF was observed in group II (2.34) in comparison to groups I and III (1.58 and 1.81, respectively). In group I, a correlation between VEGF concentration and IL-1β was observed, while in group II there was correlation between VEGF and eNOS levels.

The potential role of vascular endothelial growth factor as a new biomarker in severe intracerebral hemorrhage.

We studied the association between high serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and clinical outcomes of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients. Patients were divided into group A (<20mL), group B (20-30mL), and group C (>30mL) based on the bleeding amount. ICH patients were also categorized into the mild group, moderate group (16-30), and severe group (31-45) based on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The serum levels of VEGF in acute ICH patients detected at 24, 48, and 72hours were obtained using ELISA kit, and then compared with control group. Main clinical outcomes were evaluated using the modified Rankin scale at 90days. The serum levels of VEGF were significantly higher than those in the control group. The serum levels of VEGF in group C were specifically higher compared with those in other two groups. The severe group exhibited higher levels of VEGF than the other two groups. NIHSS scores in patients with good outcomes were lower than those with poor outcomes. Besides, VEGF levels in patients with good outcomes were much higher than those in patients with poor outcomes. ROC results indicated that the optimal cut-off value of VEGF at 72hours for predicting good outcomes was 111.17pg/mL with 91.5 sensitivity, 98.7 specificity, and an AUC of 0.952 Our results showed that higher serum levels of VEGF were associated with process of ICH. VEGF could be a new marker in ICH for severity.

The Features of Inflammation Factors Concentrations in Aqueous Humor of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy.

PurposeTo investigate the cytokine concentrations in the aqueous humor of patients with refractory polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).MethodsThree separate groups of patients were studied–refractory PCV (Group A, 41 eyes), stable PCV (Group B, 39 eyes) and senile cataract (Group C, 44 eyes). Aqueous humor samples were collected at two time points for Groups A and B–before the first intravitreal ranibizumab injection and before the last injection. Aqueous humor samples were collected prior to phacoemulsification in Group C. The cytokine concentrations of interleukin 2, 6, and 8 (IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by cytometric bead array and flow cytometry.ResultsBefore the first treatment, the MCP-1, VEGF, and TNF-α levels in Group A were significantly higher than those in Group C (P < 0.05), and the MCP-1 and VEGF levels in Group A were significantly higher than those in Group B (P < 0.05). Significantly higher MCP-1 and VEGF levels were seen in Group B compared to Group C (P < 0.05). Before the final treatment, the MCP-1, VEGF, and TNF-α concentrations in Group A were significantly higher than those in Group B (P < 0.05) and Group C (P < 0.05). IL-2 levels were significantly lower in Group A compared to Group B (P < 0.05) and Group C (P < 0.05).ConclusionInflammatory cytokines such as MCP-1, VEGF, and TNF-α may be associated with the pathogenesis of both stable and refractory PCV.

Antitumor effect of recombinant human endostatin combined with cisplatin on rats with transplanted Lewis lung cancer.

To observe the antitumor effect and mechanism of recombinant human endostatin (Endostar) injection in tumor combined with intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin on subcutaneous transplanted Lewis lung cancer in rats. A total of 30 C57 rats were selected, and the monoplast suspension of Lewis lung cancer was injected into the left axilla to prepare the subcutaneous transplanted tumor models in the axilla of right upper limb. The models were randomly divided into Groups A, B, and C. Medication was conducted when the tumor grew to 400mm(3). Group A was the control group without any interventional treatment. Group B was injected with Endostar 5mgkg(-1)d(-1) for 10d. Group C was given the injection of Endostar 5mgkg(-1)d(-1) combined with intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin 5mgkg(-1)d(-1) for 10d. All the rats in three groups were executed the day after the 10 d medication and the tumor was taken off for measurement of volume and mass changes and calculation of antitumor rate, after which the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration in rats' plasma was determined by ELISA. The tumor tissues were cut for the preparation of conventional biopsies. After hematoxylin-eosin staining, the pathologic histology was examined to observe the structures of tumor tissues, VEGF score and microvessel density (MVD) in each group. The volume and mass of tumor in Groups B and C were significantly lower than Group A (P<0.05) while the tumor volume and mass in Group C were significantly lower than Group B (P<0.05). The antitumor rate in Group C was significantly higher than Group B (P<0.05), but the tumor VEGF score, MVD and plasma VEGF level in Group C were significantly lower than Groups A and B (P<0.05). In Group B, the tumor VEGF score, MVD and plasma VEGF level were significantly lower than Group A (P<0.05). The microscopic image of Group C showed that its number of active tumor cells and the blood capillary around tumor was significantly smaller than that of Groups A and B, and meanwhile atrophy and liquefactive necrosis were seen in local tumor. Endostar injection combined with intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin is effective in reducing tumor VEGF score and MVD of transplanted tumor tissues in rats with Lewis lung cancer to obstruct the nutrient supply of tumor cells and kill tumor cells, so that the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and metastasis can be achieved with a remarkable effect.

Effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells engraftment on VEGF in lung tissue and in plasma of rabbits at early stage of smog inhalation injury

Objective To discuss the effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in lung tissue and in plasma, and extra-vascular lung water at the early stage of smog inhalation injury. Method The rabbit model of smog inhalation injury was established by using home-made smog generator, and the rabbit models were randomly(random number) divided into control group (group S, n = 32) and MSCs treatment group (group M, n = 32). Ten mL phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was injected into ear marginal vein immediately after injury in rabbits of group S. The third generation of MSCs 1/10/10 mL PBS was injected into ear marginal vein immediately after injury in rabbits of group M. The levels of VEGF in peripheral blood and lung tissue were neasured 0 h,2 h,4 h and 6 hours after injection respectively, and analyzed. The right lung of rabbits was taken out to measure and calculate lung water mass fraction after experiment.Results In lung tissue, the levels of VEGF decreased gradually in group S (P ＜ 0.05), and though the levels of VEGF in lung tissue appeared with significant decreasing trend in group M (P ＜ 0.05), they were still higher than those of group S at corresponding intervals ( P ＜ 0.05). In peripheral blood, the levels of VEGF increased gradually in group S ( P ＜ 0. 05), and the levels of VEGF in group M appeared with markedly increasing trend ( P ＜ 0.05),but they were lower significantly than those in group S at corresponding intervals ( P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions MSCs engraftment to the rabbits with smog inhalation injury could increase VEGF in lung tissue, decrease VEGF in plasma and reduce extra-vascular lung water, showing protective effect on smog inhalation injury to a certain extent. Key words: Mesenchymal stem cells; Smoke inhalation injury; Vascular endothelial cell growth factor; Extravascular lung water; Rabbit

Effects of vitamin E on serum cytokine levels in healthy adults

Effects of Vitamin E on serum cytokine levels in healthy adultsPurpose: The study determined the effects of increased dietary intake of Vitamin E (~15g per day) on serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukins (IL)‐1α, 1β, IL 2, IL 4, IL 6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α) in healthy adults. Methods: Healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to Control (C) and Intervention (I) groups (n=15) and allowed to consume normal diets for one week. Group C continued their normal diets for 4 weeks and group I was given vitamin E‐rich foods (muffins with cottonseed oil, almonds, broccoli, wheat germ) for 4 weeks. Weekly 3‐day diet diaries were analyzed for nutrients and energy using NDSR program. Blood samples were assayed for VEGF, interleukins and TNF‐α at baseline and week 5. Results: At the end of week 5, Group I had 2.5‐fold higher IL‐α, and 2.2‐fold higher IL‐1β production than Group C (P&lt;0.05) respectively. This group also had 2.0‐fold higher IL‐2, IL‐4, and 1.8‐fold higher TNF‐α production than Group C (P&lt;0.05) respectively. However, IL‐6 production was not significantly enhanced in Group I at the end of week 5. VEGF levels in Group I was 0.8‐fold lower (NS; P=0.059) than Group C at the end of week 5. Conclusion: Serum pro‐inflammatory IL 1‐α, 1‐β, IL 2, IL 4, and TNF‐α levels were significantly improved by including vitamin E‐rich foods in the diet without affecting energy intake, with no changes in IL‐6 and VEGF levels in these healthy adults.