Marked increase in vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations during Escherichia coli endotoxin-induced acute inflammation in humans.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Bacterial endotoxins can induce the synthesis and release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which may alter vascular permeability and cause vascular leakage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The effect of acute systemic inflammation on VEGF concentration was measured in healthy males after an intravenous bolus infusion of Escherichia coli endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS, 20 IU kg-1) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study. LPS administration was followed by an infusion of lepirudin (bolus 0.1 mg kg-1, continuous infusion of 0.1 mg kg-1 h-1, n = 12) or saline (n = 12).

RESULTS:

Plasma VEGF increased from a mean of 15.1 pg mL-1 to 74.6 pg mL-1 5 h after LPS (P < 0.003). Body temperature, pulse rate, leukcytes, prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2) and lactoferrin increased and platelets decreased after LPS (P < 0.05). The LPS-induced increase in VEGF was paralleled by the neutrophil cell degranulation marker lactoferrin but not by F1 + 2, and was not affected by lepirudin, which blunted F1 + 2 formation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Inflammation-induced activation of leukcytes rather than platelets plays a role in the marked increase in VEGF, which cannot be abrogated by antithrombotic therapy.

• Authors: F Mittermayer, J Pleiner, G Schaller, A Weltermann, S Kapiotis, B Jilma, M Wolzt
• Journal: European journal of clinical investigation (Eur J Clin Invest) Vol. 33 Issue 9 Pg. 758-61 (Sep 2003) ISSN: 0014-2972 [Print] England
• PMID: 12925034 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anticoagulants
• Endothelial Growth Factors
• Endotoxins
• Hirudins
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
• Lymphokines
• Recombinant Proteins
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
• lepirudin

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adult
• Anticoagulants (therapeutic use)
• Blood Coagulation (drug effects)
• Blood Platelets (drug effects, physiology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Endothelial Growth Factors (blood)
• Endotoxins
• Escherichia coli
• Hirudins (analogs & derivatives)
• Humans
• Inflammation (blood)
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins (blood)
• Leukocytes (drug effects, physiology)
• Lymphokines (blood)
• Male
• Recombinant Proteins (therapeutic use)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors