Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) under hypoxia in placenta with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and its clinically pathological significance

The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) under hypoxia in the placenta with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) was observed, and mechanisms of ICP fetal distress were discussed. Methods: Different culturing times were established in hypoxia incubator, and protein expressions of VEGF in placental tissue were observed using immunohistochemical S-P method. Results: After 4 h hypoxic culture, VEGF protein expression in ICP group was higher than the normal group with significant difference (P < 0.05). With the extension of hypoxic exposure, VEGF protein expression in both groups was suppressed, but no distinction in-between. Regression analyses indicated a noticeable effect of CG on VEGF expression, the higher the CG was, the lower the VEGF protein expression was (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Short term hypoxia induces up-regulation of VEGF expression in ICP placenta, and this adaptive change is probably a protective mechanism of fetus in ICP.