Angiogenic modulators in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases

ABSTRACT

Angiogenesis or formation of new blood vessels out of pre-existing capillaries is a sequence of events that is fundamental to many physiologic and pathologic processes such as COPD. With the identification of several proangiogenic molecules such as VEGF and bFGF and the recent description of specific inhibitors of angiogenesis such as angiostatin and endostatin. The current study included 76 COPD patients of 5 grades according to postbronchodilator FEV1 -Grade zero Included 14 male patients who were already diagnosed as COPD grade zero. - Grade 1 Included 10 male patients who were already diagnosed as COPD grade 1. -Grade II a Include 4 male patients who were already diagnosed as COPD grade II a. -Grade II b Included 12 male patients who were diagnosed as COPD grade II b. Grade III Included 36 male patients, who were already diagnosed as COPD grade III. The patients were recruited before treatment administration among the attendants of chest and internal medicine departments, Assiut University Hospital. The study also included 20 healthy male subjects as a control group who were matched in age to the patients [mean age was 63 years old]. For each of the patients and control group the following items were done 1- History 2- Clinical examination 3- Spirometry to measure the following pulmonary function test. 4- Arterial blood samples for blood gases [PO@, PCO2] analysis. 5- Venous blood sample, the sera were removed for estimation bFGF, VEGF, NO, Lipid peroxide, Copper, Zinc and total iron. The result reveal that serum bFGF, VEGF, serum NO, Lipid peroxide and Serum copper levels were significantly higher in patients with COPD compared to healthy controls [p. value patients with high grade COPD had a significantly higher serum zinc level compared to patients with high grade COPD. Patients with low grade COPD had a significantly higher serum iron level compared to patients with high grade COPD. From above, under chronic inflammation, the proangiogenic factors [bFGF, VEGF], and proinflammatory factor [NO], oxidative stress [Lipid peroxide] and antioxidant trace element [zinc, copper and iron] affects on these specific function of the endothelium. Moreover, they may significantly contribute to the outcome of therapeutic interventions aimed at proangiogenic processes in chronic inflammation