Circulating levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A and its soluble receptor in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Date

2011-01

Authors

Yılmaz, Yusuf
Yonal, Oya
Kurt, Ramazan
Alahdab, Yeşim Özen
Özdogan, Osman
Çelikel, Çiğdem Ataizi
İmeryuz, Neşe
Kalaycı, Cem
Avşar, Erol

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier Science

Abstract

Background and Aims. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) is a multifunctional cytokine affecting angiogenesis and vascular function. The biological activity of VEGF is modulated by its soluble receptor VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1). We explored the associations of VEGF and sVEGFR-1 concentrations with liver histology in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods. The study was comprised of 99 patients with NAFLD and 75 healthy controls. Serum VEGF and sVEGFR-1 concentrations were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results. Serum VEGF levels did not differ in patients with NAFLD (1882 +/- 942 pg/mL) compared with healthy controls (1985 +/- 945 pg/mL, p = 0.42). However, compared with healthy subjects, levels of sVEGFR-1 were significantly lower in patients with NAFLD (1.59 +/- 0.58 ng/mL vs. 1.16 +/- 0.34 ng/mL, respectively, p < 0.001). After allowance for potential confounders, serum sVEGFR-1 levels retained their independent significance as a predictor of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD (beta = -0.19; t = -1.81, p < 0.05). Conclusions. Our results show that patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD have a significant reduction in serum sVEGFR-1 concentrations that predict the degree of liver fibrosis, independent of potential confounders.

Description

Keywords

Research & experimental medicine, Vascular endothelial growth factor, Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Liver fibrosis, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Steatohepatitis, Metabolic syndrome, Plasma levels, VEGF, Angiogenesis, Association, Steatohepatitis, Hypertension, SFLT-1, Cells, Risk

Citation

Yılmaz, Y. vd. (2011). ''Circulating levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A and its soluble receptor in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease''. Archives of Medical Research, 42(1), 38-43.