| Abstract | PURPOSE: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in the production of malignant pleural effusions. In the present study, we examined the levels of soluble VEGF receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), as possible regulators of VEGF activity, in transudative and exudative pleural effusions. METHODS: Forty-two patients were included in this study: 4 with transudative pleural effusions due to heart failure (HF), 38 with exudative pleural effusions (lung cancer [LC], 22; other malignant diseases [MD], 10; tuberculosis [TB], 6). The levels of VEGF, Ang-2, and sVEGFR-1 in the pleural effusions were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The levels of VEGF, Ang-2, and sVEGFR-1 in exudative effusions were higher than those in transudative effusions. Interestingly, the levels of VEGF and Ang-2 in bloody effusions were significantly higher than those in non-bloody effusions (p < 0.05), but the level of sVEGFR-1 in bloody effusions was lower than that in non-bloody effusions. The levels of VEGF and Ang-2 were significantly higher in the malignant effusions, compared with effusion from HF and TB (p < 0.05). In addition, sVEGFR-1 was significantly higher in the effusion from LC, MD, and TB compared with effusion from HF (p < 0.05). In the malignant effusions, direct correlations were observed among VEGF, sVEGFR-1, and Ang-2. CONCLUSIONS: The sVEGFR-1 levels were elevated in exudative pleural effusions, and were lower in bloody effusions than in non-bloody effusions, thus suggesting the regulatory role of sVEGFR-1 in the exudative pleural effusions. |
| Authors | Hideki Tomimoto, Seiji Yano, Hiroaki Muguruma, Soji Kakiuchi, Saburo Sone
(Affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Molecular Therapeutics, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.)
|
| Journal | The journal of medical investigation : JMI
(J Med Invest)
Vol. 54
Issue 1-2
Pg. 146-53
(Feb 2007)
ISSN: 1343-1420 Japan |
| PMID | 17380026
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
| Chemical References |
- ANGPT1 protein, human
- Angiopoietin-1
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
|
| Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Angiopoietin-1
(analysis)
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Exudates and Transudates
(chemistry)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pleural Effusion
(chemistry)
- Pleural Effusion, Malignant
(chemistry)
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
(analysis)
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
(analysis, physiology)
|
