Serum vascular endothelial growth factor in rheumatoid arthritis: a relationship to disease activity and pathogenesis

This study aims to determine the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] in rheumatoid arthritis [RA] patients and to search for a relationship between serum VEGF level and clinical, laboratory, and radiological variables of the disease in an attempt to provide more insight regarding its role in disease activity and pathogenesis. 75 RA patients, diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology [ACR] criteria and 20 control subjects were included in this study. RA patients were divided into active group [38 patients] and non-active group [37 patients] as assessed clinically by using modified disease activity score [DAS-28] and laboratory by using erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and C-reactive protein [CRP]. All patients included in this study were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination and laboratory investigations including ESR, CRP, complete blood picture, rheumatoid factor, and serum VEGF assay using ELISA technique. Assessment of radiological severity by Larsen's score was done by using plain X-ray for both hands and wrists joints. We found that serum VEGF level was higher in RA patients group than control subjects and in the active group than non-active one. In RA patients, the serum level of VEGF was positively correlated to DAS-28, ESR and CRP. Also, the levels of serum VEGF were higher in patients with early grades of Larsen's score than those with late grades. Also, RA patients with early disease duration [<2 years] had higher serum VEGF levels than those of late disease duration [>3 years]. We suggest that VEGF may be involved in the pathogenesis of RA, and serum VEGF is a non-invasive useful method for monitoring the disease activity of RA, although this is not a specific marker for RA. Anti-VEGF strategies should largely be confined to modulating angiogenesis in RA

Maternal and fetal concentration of serum placental growth factor and their correlation to glycemic control and doppler study in diabetic and normal pregnancy

To determine whether maternal diabetes is associated with altered human placental growth factor [PIGF] level in serum of both mother and fetus and study he relation between PIGF and Doppler parameters, Prospective analytic comparative study. 30 normal pregnant female, 60 patients with gestational diabetes, 30 diabetic controlled and 30 diabetic uncontrolled. PIGF was measured in stored maternal serum samples taken in the 3[rd] trimester and cord sample of their babies after delivery by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays [ELISA]. Diabetes during pregnancy was diagnosed with the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test and by applying world health organization criteria. Doppler velocimetry of umbilical vessels was evaluated for vascular impedance, in terms of pulsatility index and S/D ratio. Insignificant difference in serum maternal PIGF in both diabetic and non diabetic groups in the third trimester [p 0.139]. Cord serum PIGF was lower in diabetic controlled than uncontrolled group [p 0.023]. But there was significant negative correlation between maternal PIGF and cord serum PIGF in control [r -.537] and uncontrolled diabetic group [r -.384], p<0.05. Significant positive correlation between cord serum PIGF and S/D ratio was found [r .383], p<0.037. Significant negative correlation was found between PIGF in maternal serum and Doppler parameters in diabetic controlled group [r - 0.362], p value < 0.049 and in diabetic uncontrolled group [r = 0.500], p value < .005. FBS was positively correlated to cord serum PIGF in both controlled [r .603 and p value <0.001] and uncontrolled diabetic groups [r .934 and p value <0.001]. Maternal serum PIGF is similar in 3[rd] trimester in diabetic pregnancy and in control group. Serum cord PIGF was higher in uncontrolled than controlled diabetics. Significant negative correlation between maternal PIGF and cord serum PIGF in control and uncontrolled diabetic group. Rise in cord serum PIGF is related to chronic fetal hypoxia as evident by abnormal Doppler. Further studies are needed to confirm results

Basic fibrolast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor levels as pulmonary biomarkers of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

There has been increasing interest in using pulmonary biomarkers to understand and monitor the inflammation in the respiratory tract of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]. The aim of this study is evaluating circulating basic fibroblast growth factor [bFGF] and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] levels to determine the value of these growth factors as biomarkers of COPD and as indicators of severity of COPD in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in comparison to the inflammatory cytokines, C-reactive protein [CRP], tumor necrosis factor- alpha [TNF- alpha and interleukin-6 [IL-6]. Also, to determine if there is a correlation between circulating levels of VEGF and bFGF and pulmonary function [FEV1]. The study included 86 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], Besides 20 healthy, age matched males with normal pulmonary function were included as controls. The patients were divided into 5 stages according to lung function measured by spirometer [FEV1% predicted]. All patients were subjected to determination of FEV1 and determination of circulating bFGF, VEGF. TNF- alpha CRP and IL-6. The results showed that the concentration of circulating bFGF, VEGF, TNF- alpha, CRP and IL-6 were significantly higher in patients with CORD in comparison to the control group and their levels increased according to the stage of disease. There was a negative correlation between the blood levels of VEGF and bFGF with FEV1 in the different stages of COPD [p<0.05]. Also, there was a strong positive correlation between VEGF and bFGF [p<0.05]. In conclusion, bFGF and VEGF could play an important role in the pathogenesis of COPD and could be considered as a reliable and early biomarker in the diagnosis of COPD

Possible role of serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and endostatin in rheumatoid arthritis angiogenesis imbalance

To measure serum levels of the main angiogenic inducer marker [VEGF] and the main angiogenic inhibitor marker [endostatin] in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Also, to study their correlation to clinical and laboratory variables of the disease in an attempt to provide more insight regarding their possible role in the angiogenesis imbalance and pathogenesis of RA. Twenty RA patients and fifteen age and sex matched healthy persons served as a control group underwent full history taking, thorough clinical examination, and routine rheumatological profile. Measurement of serum VEGF and endostatin levels were done using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] in rheumatoid arthritis patients and compared with controls. Comparison between patients with or without systemic involvement regarding serum level of VEGF was done. Correlations between serum levels of VEGF and signs of disease activity were also done. A highly significant increase in the mean values of serum VEGF was found in RA patients compared to control subjects [t=11.83, p<0.00l], while there was no statistically significant difference between both RA and control groups regarding mean values of endostatin [t=0.06, p>0.05]. In addition a highly significant increase in the mean values of serum VEGF was found in RA Patients with extra-articular manifestation [EAM] compared to Patients without EAM [t=2.98, p<0.0l]. Serum VEGF was positively correlated with ESR, DAS, and CRP [r =8.48, p<0.01; r = 0.542, p< 0.5; and r = 0.49, p< 0.5] respectively. We found an imbalance between the production of angiogenic growth factors and angiogenic inhibitors in RA. This may play an important role in the angiogenesis imbalance and pathogenesis of RA. In addition we conclude that VEGF level is related to disease activity and extra-articular manifestation of RA, so it can be considered a good indicator for evaluation of disease activity, systemic organ involvement and planning treatment strategies

Clinical relevance of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] in patients with acute leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] is a potent regulatory molecule of the process of new blood vessel formation [angiogenesis]. It is a critical process for tumor growth and metastasis. It might represent a promising therapeutic target in hematologic malignancies. The aim of this study is to assess serum level of VEGF, and its prognostic significance in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL], acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL] and acute myeloid leukemia [AML] patients. VEGF level was assessed in the sera of 47 patients before treatment [NHL; n=20, ALL; n=13, and AML; n=14] and controls [n=13]. Samples were collected again from patients with remission after chemotherapy [25 patients: 10 NHL, 8 ALL and 7 AML patients]. Before treatment serum VEGF levels in NHL and AML patients revealed significant elevation compared with control group [P-values: 0.048 and 0.032 respectively]. On the contrary, a highly significant reduction of serum VEGF was elicited in ALL patients compared with control group [P= 0.009]. After treatment, the serum VEGF levels were significantly reduced nearly to the control values in NHL and AML patients. ALL patients exhibited increasing trend of serum VEGF level in remission approaching control values. In NHL patients the correlation statistics revealed a significant positive correlation between serum VEGF level and serum LDH, uric acid, ESR, B-symptoms, and BM lymphocytes [P- 1 values: 0.007, 0.028, 0.001, 0.003, I and 0.023 respectively]. ALL patients I elicited non-significant correlation between serum VEGF and all other studied parameters. In AML patients, a significant correlation was found between serum VEGF level, and both -ESR [r sr 0.49, P= 0.024] and absoIute neutrophilic count [r = 0.617, P= 0.019]. Serum VEGF levels I showed prognostic information in predicting response to treatment of NHL and AML patients. In ALL patients serum VEGF level could be an early predictor of renewal of normal hematopoiesis after remission induction. Serum level of VEGF may be used to predict clinical outcome and/or monitor treatment of hematologicai malignancy

Measurement of plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in prostate cancer patients: relationship with clinical stage, Gleason score, prostate volume, and serum prostate-specific antigen

PURPOSE: This study focused on circulating levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with prostate cancer compared to a normal population. METHODS: We analyzed 26 normal individuals and 80 patients with prostate cancer. Blood was drawn from all subjects, and plasma was extracted to determine the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor using a quantitative immunoassay technique (ELISA-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). RESULTS: The median plasma level of vascular endothelial growth factor was significantly elevated in patients with metastatic disease compared to patients with localized disease and with healthy controls. Patients with serum prostate-specific antigen > 20 ng/mL had significantly higher levels of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor than patients with serum prostate-specific antigen < 20 ng/mL. There was a trend for patients with a Gleason score of 8 to 10 to have higher levels of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor when compared to patients with lower Gleason scores. No relationship was found between plasma vascular endothelial growth factor and clinical staging, or between plasma vascular endothelial growth factor and prostate volume, in patients with localized prostate cancer. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that patients with metastatic prostate cancer have higher plasma vascular endothelial growth factor levels than patients with localized disease or in healthy controls.

OBJETIVO: Analisar os níveis circulantes do fator de crescimento do endotélio vascular em pacientes com câncer prostático comparados com uma população de indivíduos eutróficos. MÉTODOS: Vinte e seis indivíduos eutróficos e oitenta pacientes com câncer de próstata foram analisados nesse estudo. A coleta sangüínea foi realizada da mesma maneira em todos os pacientes e o plasma foi extraído para a determinação dos níveis do fator de crescimento do endotélio vascular, utilizando-se o método quantitativo ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). RESULTADOS: Os níveis de fator de crescimento do endotélio vascular plasmático encontraram-se significativamente elevados nos pacientes com doença metastática quando comparados com pacientes com doença localizada e com indivíduos sadios. Pacientes com PSA sérico maior que 20 ng/ml apresentaram níveis maiores de fator de crescimento do endotélio vascular plasmático quando comparados com pacientes com PSA menor que 20 ng/ml. Houve uma tendência dos pacientes com escore de Gleason de 8 a 10 apresentarem níveis maiores do fator de crescimento do endotélio vascular plasmático em relação a pacientes com escores de Gleason menores que 8. Não houve relação entre fator de crescimento do endotélio vascular plasmático e estado clínico, ou entre fator de crescimento do endotélio vascular e volume prostático em pacientes com câncer de próstata localizado. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados indicam que pacientes com câncer de próstata metastático apresentam níveis significativamente mais elevados de fator de crescimento do endotélio vascular plasmático quando comparados com pacientes com câncer localizado e com indivíduos normais.

Serum endostatin and vascular endothelial growth factor levels in patients with pre-eclampsia

We evaluated the prognostic value of serum endostatin and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] for diagnosis of pre-eclampsia. We determined VEGF and endostatin levels in the sera of 20 healthy, non-pregnant women and 64 pregnant women: 20 healthy, 20 with mild pre-eclampsia and 24 with severe pre-eclampsia. Serum levels of these factors in non-pregnant women were similar to those in healthy pregnant women. However, serum levels were significantly higher with mild or severe pre-eclampsia compared with normal pregnancies and significantly higher with severe rather than with mild pre-eclampsia. Elevated levels significantly increased risk more than severity of pre-eclampsia. VEGF and endostatin could be used to differentiate between pre-eclamptic and normal pregnancies and to discriminate mild pre-eclampsia from severe pre-eclampsia

Estimation of vascular endothelial growth factor in serum of ankylosing spondylitis patients and its relation to disease activity

Angiogenesis is involved in the inflammatory joint diseases such as Ankylosing spondylitis [AS]. Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] plays a critical role in angiogenesis. Ankylosing spondylitis is characterized by sacroiliitis and enthesitis in which new blood vessels formation participates. The aim of this study was to estimate the serum VEGF in AS patients and its relation to disease activity. Sera were collected from 20 AS patients and 20 healthy controls of matched age and sex. Disease activity was assessed using both ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index [BASDAI] and laboratory markers of inflammations [ESR, CRP]. Serum VEGF levels were significantly higher in AS patient [28.785 +/- 18.712 pg/ml] compared to controls [11.785 +/- 7.0191 pg/ml]. In AS patients' serum VEGF levels were correlated with disease activity indices. These results suggest that VEGF and therefore angiogenesis my play a role in AS pathogenesis and may serve as a disease activity marker in AS

Angiogenesis in rheumatoid patients: clinical, radiological and histopathological study

To evaluate angiogenesis and cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis [RA] patients. This was performed using power Doppler ultrasonography [PDS] and detection of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] in the serum and immunohistochemically. Eighteen Rheumatoid arthritis patients [group 1] and ten apparently healthy subjects [group 2] participated in this study. Full history taking, thorough clinical examination and routine rheumatological profile investigation were done. Serum VEGF was measured in all patients and controls using ELISA technique. The knee joints were examined with ultrasound and resistance index was measured with spectral ultrasonography. Histological examination for synovial membranes was done with hematoxylin and eosin, factor VIII and VEGF with immunohistochemical staining. There was a highly significant difference between RA patients and controls as regard sVEGF [582.22 +/- 84.89, 176 +/- 20.55 pg/ml], histological score [36.94 +/- 7.83, 2.72 +/- 1.2], factor VIII [3.16 +/- 0.618, 1.2 +/- 0.41], VEGF staining [3.03 +/- 0.89, 0.5 +/- 0.32] and PDS [3.027 +/- 0.58, 0.41 +/- 0.24] [p<0.001 in all parameters]. Also, there was a significant difference between patients and control as regard resistive index [RI] [0.72 +/- 0.19, 1.07 +/- 0.1] and synovial proliferation [3.055 +/- 0.7, 0.25 +/- 0.263] [p<0.05 in both parameters]. RA patients were classified according to VEGF staining into low, moderate and intense staining. There was a highly significant difference between patient subgroups regarding serum VEGF, synovial proliferation, PDS score [p<0.001] and a significant difference regarding histopathological score, factor VIII and RI [p<0.05 in all parameters]. There was a positive correlation between sVEGF and DAS score, synovial proliferation, ESR, PDS, VEGF staining and histological score, and negative correlation with RI. Also, there was a positive correlation between VEGF staining and histological score, sVEGF, PDS, synovial proliferation and negative correlation with RI. VEGF is a potent mediator of endothelial proliferation of angiogenesis, the expression of VEGF depending on the activity and plays a part of pathogenesis of RA and synovitis. PDS is a useful method demonstrating synovial vascularization and monitoring disease activity. RI is an objective tool to estimate the degree of inflammation in RA

Bleeding tendency in liver cirrhosis: Is there a role for vascular endothelial growth factor

Liver cirrhosis [LC] represents a very special and important problem in Egypt because of endemicity of bilhareziasis and its complications. Patients with liver cirrhosis have high bleeding tendency and they may develop petechies, ecchymosis, gastrointestinal bleeding, bleeding gum, epistaxis.etc. Many factors are proposed to explain this bleeding tendency in liver cirrhosis of which platelets abnormalities and alterations of both coagulation and fibrinolytic systems are the most appreciable. Epistaxis is one of the presentation of patients with liver cirrhosis. Nasal mucosal changes were found to be extensive in liver cirrhosis and these changes could not be explained upon the mentioned bleeding abnormalities only. A further pathogenic factor controlling angiogenesis may be added. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor [VEGF] was claimed to take a part in this situation as it is one of the most important angiogenetic factors in the body. Our study focused to clear up the clinical significant of serum level of VEGF and possible nasal mucosal changes [NMC] as an example for bleeding tendency in such patients. The study included 45 patients with LC and 20 healthy controls. Patients are classified according to Child classification into three groups. Bleeding tendency in the form of epistaxis was the main complaint in a good ratio of patients and it was found to be correlated with vascular nasal changes even in patients with normal bleeding profile in those patients. Serum level of VEGF was directly proportional to the staging of L.C. Our results suggest that VEGF may have a significant new possible role for bleeding tendency in patients with L.C. as shown from its more expression and significant effect on nasal mucoas and submucosa in the form of organization, vascularization and other changes of nasal granulation tissues of those patients. These changes were found to be more and more with progression of the disease

Vascular endothelial growth factor in relation to the severity of coronary artery disease

The injury of myocardium due to coronary artery insufficiency results from hypoxia which increases the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]. Our study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor in acute myocardial infarction and to find a correlation between its levels in serum and the severity of the coronary artery disease [CAD]. We studied 15 patients with acute myocadial infarction [AMI]. 15 patients with chronic coronary insufficiency [CCI] and 10 age and sex matched healthy subjects [control]. Serum VEGF levels were measured for all subjects using a competitive enzyme immunoassay. All subjects were submitted to echocardiography and only patients to coronary angiography to assess the severity of the coronary artery disease. The study revealed highly significant increase of VEGF in AMI group compared to the control group [P<0.001] while there was insignificant difference between CCI group and control group [P>0.05]. The severity score showed a significant positive correlation with VEGF in AMI group [P<0.05] and no correlation with VEGF in CCI group. The extent of myocardial damage contributes to the elevation of VEGF levels in AMI. VEGF levels correlate with the severity of CAD in AMI. On the other hand, in chronic coronary insufficiency there was insignificant elevation of VEGF with no correlation with the severity of CAD

Study of serum vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] level among cases of endometrial carcinoma in postmenopausal females

The aim of this work is to correlate the preoperative serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] to proved cases of endometrial carcinoma among the postmenopausal females. The study included forty postmenopausal females that were divided into two subgroups: Group A [cases]: Twenty patients having endometrial carcinoma diagnosed by biopsy from endometrial tissues obtained by dilatation and curettage, admitted to the inpatient department of El Shatby Maternity University Hospital. Group B [control]: Twenty postmenopausal volunteered females with no gynecologic pathology having endometrial thickness less than 4 mm proved by transvaginal ultrasound. The selected females were subjected to thorough personal, family, obstetric, gynecological,history and Physical examination. Transvaginal ultrasound scanning: was done to all cases to measure endometrial thickness and the uterine vessels were visualized and Pulsatility index [PI] and Resistance index [RI] were calculated Estimation of serum vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] by enzyme immune assay [EIA] for the Detection of [i]Total human VEGF[i] was done to all patients. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingoophorectomy was done to group A only [patients having endometrial carcinoma] and histopathological examination of the removed tissues was done. The results of the ultrasound measurements of endometrial thickness, color Doppler velocimetry, platelet count and serum VEGF values were compared between both groups. group A [study group] and group B [control group] were compared according to normal statistical tests as regards Age and parity,Weight and height, Age of menarche, Years since menopause, Contraceptive methods used, Platelet count, Endometrial thickness by transvaginal ultrasound, Transvaginal color Doppler velocimetry including: PI, RI and endometrial texture, and Serum VEGF level. Group A [cases] had a mean age of 56.85 +/- 5.174 years and a mean parity of 2.35 +/- 0.813 children; that were not statistically different from group B [control] which had a mean age of 55.15 +/- 2.39 years and a mean parity of 2.95 +/- 1.276 children. Group A [cases] had a significantly lower mean age of menarche of 11.52 +/- 0.89 years than group B [control] which had a mean age of menarche of 12.33 +/- 0.90 years. There was no statistical significant difference between both groups as regard to years since menopause. Group A had mean years since menopause of 5.82 +/- 1.03 years while group B had mean years since menopause of 6.01 +/- 1.11 years. Group A [cases] had a significantly higher mean endometrial thickness of 21.625 +/- 2.923 mm in comparison to group B [control] which had a mean thickness of 3.03 +/- 0.66 mm. Group A [cases] showed significant higher mean serum VEGF level of 258.21 +/- 90.286 ng/ml than group B [control] which had a mean serum VEGF level of 24.415 +/- 7.167 ng/ml. Endometrial thickness measurement by transvaginal ultrasonography is efficient in suspecting endometrial carcinoma in postmenopausal females. Transvaginal color Doppler velocimetry on both uterine arteries did not add on efficacy in the diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma. Serum VEGF was found to be of precious value for the prediction of endometrial carcinoma

Clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] in sera of patients with pediatric malignancies

Angiogenesis is essential for solid tumor growth. It is induced by tumor cells through stimulatory angiogenic peptides, one such peptide is vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]. The ultimate aim of the work is to investigate the possible role of VEGF as an early biomolecule involved in the progression of pediatric malignant tumors with high metastatic potential. Forty-five pediatric patients were studied. They included four groups with malignant solid tumors suffering from Ewing's sarcoma, osteosarcoma, neuroblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. In addition, a healthy control group including fifteen age and sex matched children was included in the study. Serum VEGF levels were determined by ELISA technique. The level of VEGF was significantly higher in all types of solid tumors compared to normal healthy children. The mean values obtained for patients and controls were 429.44 +/- 258.55 pg/ml and 79.36 +/- 63.81 pg/ml, respectively. No significant difference was detected in the level of VEGF among males and females. Also, no statistically significant difference was detected among the different types of malignant tumors. However, a marked significant difference was elucidated between metastatic and non-metastatic cancer patients, the values recorded were 753.33 +/- 173.64 pg/ml and 267.5 +/- 75.54 pg/ml, respectively [p <0.001]. Furthermore, the results showed that 207 pg/ml of serum level of VEGF is the optimal cutoff value [mean +/- 2 SD of control] with sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 100%. Using the receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve analysis, the area under the curve [0.917] indicated the validity of using serum VEGF level in the diagnosis of all different types of pediatric malignant solid tumors with high potentiality to metastasis. VEGF is an angiogenic stimulatory peptide. Its serum level colud be a reliable marker in assessing pediatric malignancies with high metastatic potentials

Vascular endothelial growth factor as an angiogenic factor in congestive heart failure

In order to evaluate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] in the pathology of CHF, this study was conducted on 96 subjects [57 males and 39 females]. Sixty-eight of them had congestive heart failure of various etiologies [40 males and 28 females with an age ranged from 18 to 76 years with a mean +/- SD of 47.83 +/- 16.2] together with 28 apparently healthy individuals [17 males and 11 females with ages ranged from 18 to 65 years with a mean +/- SD of 33.2 +/- 11] as the control group. The patients were classified into five groups according to the etiology of congestive heart failure. All groups were subjected to history taking and clinical examination with a special emphasis on the symptoms and signs suggestive of CHF and manifestations of underlying, cause laboratory investigations [CBC, lipid profile, fasting and two-hour postprandial blood sugar, renal function tests, serum transaminases, ESR, antistreptolysin O titer, C-reactive protein and thyroid function tests], ECG, chest X-ray, echocardiography and abdominal sonography. Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] serum level was determined by a commercially available ELISA test

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor in collagen diseases: correlation with disease activity

A role for angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] in the pathogenesis of collagen diseases through endothelial cell modulation has been suggested. Assessment of serum VEGF level in rheumatoid arthritis [RA], systemic sclerosis [SSc] and systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] patients to elucidate the potential involvement of VEGF in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Also, to find out a relation between its serum level and the disease activity or the functional impairment in those patients The serum level of VEGF was assessed in 10 RA patients; 10 SSc patients; 10 SLE patients as well as 10 healthy volunteers. Its level was correlated to the different clinical and laboratory parameters of disease activity and functional impairment in the patients. When compared with the control group, each group of patients showed a significantly higher concentration [p<0.001] of serum VEGF. A statistically significant correlation was found between this higher concentration and disease activity in RA and SLE patients as well as the development of lung fibrosis in SSc patients. The results of this study suggest that angiogenesis produced by VEGF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of collagen diseases. Measurement of serum VEGF reflects the disease activity in RA and SLE patients as well as increased frequency of lung fibrosis in SSc patients. In addition, inhibition of VEGF either by drugs or receptor antagonism may improve the clinical manifestations or decrease the progress of these diseases. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the exact role of VEGF in relation to other cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of collagen diseases

Circulating levels of interleukin-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with carotid stenosis

Interleukin (IL)-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are important factors that induce the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells, increase the vascular permeability, and the modulate chemotaxis of monocytes. These molecules have been found in human atherosclerotic plaques. However, it is not clear whether the circulating levels of IL-8 and VEGF correlate with the extents of carotid stenosis. In this study, we investigated the relationship between circulating levels of IL-8 as well as VEGF and the extents of carotid stenosis. Sera from 41 patients with carotid stenosis were assessed for concentrations of IL-8 and VEGF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The degree of stenosis of extracranial carotid artery was calibrated by carotid B- mode ultrasonography. The serum concentration of IL-8 (r=-0.04733, p>0.05) was not correlated with the degree of stenosis. However, the serum concentration of VEGF (r=0.4974, p<0.01) was significantly correlated with the degree of carotid stenosis. These findings suggest that increased serum level of VEGF might be a marker for higher degree of stenosis of extracranial carotid artery.