Elevation of plasma VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) has been noted in patients with hypertension or atherosclerosis. VEGF has been regarded as a marker for endothelial dysfunction. However, the role of VEGF in hypertension-induced vascular injury and its relationship with endothelial function have not been studied. This study included 20 untreated hypertensive men with grade 1 or 2 hypertensive retinopathy, 10 untreated hypertensive men without hypertensive retinopathy and 10 healthy controls. None of the hypertensive patients had diabetes, renal impairment or overt vascular diseases. Plasma VEGF and adhesion molecules were measured using ELISAs. Endothelial function was measured by FMD (flow-mediated vasodilation) of the brachial artery. Plasma levels of VEGF, excluding adhesion molecules, were significantly higher in hypertensive patients with retinopathy when compared with patients without retinopathy (152.4±80.8 pg/ml versus 104.7±27.2 pg/ml, P=0.035) or controls (152.4±80.8 pg/ml versus 98.9±23.7 pg/ml, P=0.025). Levels of FMD were significantly lower in hypertensive patients than controls, but there were no significant differences between patients with or without retinopathy. Degrees of FMD were inversely correlated with VEGF levels (r=−0.351, P=0.031). Elevation of plasma VEGF was associated with hypertensive retinopathy. Plasma VEGF could be used as a marker of early vascular damage induced by hypertension.
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July 2005
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Research Article|
June 23 2005
Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor as a marker for early vascular damage in hypertension
Wei-Chuan TSAI;
*Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical Centre, Tainan, Taiwan
Correspondence: Dr Wei-Chuan Tsai (email wctsai@ksmail.seed.net.tw).
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Yi-Heng LI;
Yi-Heng LI
*Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical Centre, Tainan, Taiwan
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Yao-Yi HUANG;
Yao-Yi HUANG
†Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical Centre, Tainan, Taiwan
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Chin-Chan LIN;
Chin-Chan LIN
†Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical Centre, Tainan, Taiwan
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Ting-Hsing CHAO;
Ting-Hsing CHAO
*Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical Centre, Tainan, Taiwan
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Jyh-Hong CHEN
Jyh-Hong CHEN
*Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical Centre, Tainan, Taiwan
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Clin Sci (Lond) (2005) 109 (1): 39–43.
Article history
Received:
October 21 2004
Revision Received:
January 24 2005
Accepted:
March 01 2005
Accepted Manuscript online:
March 01 2005
Citation
Wei-Chuan TSAI, Yi-Heng LI, Yao-Yi HUANG, Chin-Chan LIN, Ting-Hsing CHAO, Jyh-Hong CHEN; Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor as a marker for early vascular damage in hypertension. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 July 2005; 109 (1): 39–43. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20040307
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