Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We also examined the involvement of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), which are a possible source of VEGF in AMI. BACKGROUND: VEGF is a potent endothelial cell-specific mitogen and could affect the outcome of AMI. METHODS: Thirty patients with AMI were used for this study. Serum and PBMCs were isolated from peripheral blood on days 1, 7, 14 and 21 after the onset of AMI. PBMCs were cultured at a density of 5 x 10(6) cells/ml for 24 h. VEGF levels in serum and the culture media were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a specific anti-human VEGF antibody. RESULTS: Serum VEGF levels elevated gradually after the onset of AMI and reached a peak on day 14. VEGF levels in the culture medium of PBMCs after incubation for 24 h (PBMC-VEGF) were maximally elevated 7 days after the onset. Maximum serum VEGF levels showed significant positive correlations with maximum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels (r = +0.70, p < 0.001), but maximum PBMC-VEGF levels did not correlate with maximum CPK levels. Patients showing improvement in left ventricular systolic function during the course of AMI showed significantly higher PBMC-VEGF levels than patients without improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of myocardial damage contributes to the elevation of serum VEGF levels in AMI. VEGF produced by PBMCs may play an important role in the improvement of left ventricular function by promoting angiogenesis and reendothelialization after AMI.     

Elevated circulating levels of basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have both shown strong angiogenetic effects in ischemic animal models and it has been reported that these growth factors were increased after acute myocardial ischemia. However, there have been few reports on the serum levels of bFGF and VEGF after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), in particular there has not been a comparative study of bFGF and VEGF in human subjects. The time course of circulating levels of bFGF and VEGF was examined in 36 patients with AMI who were within 24h of the onset of the AMI. The serum bFGF and VEGF levels of 50 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers served as the baseline value. All the patients had undergone coronary angiography on the day of admission (Day 0), but prior to that the serum bFGF and VEGF levels were examined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. The serum bFGF and VEGF levels were also evaluated on Days 7, 14 and 28. Creatine kinase, myosin light chain I and troponin-T were measured subsequently and radionuclide examinations were performed during the early phase of AMI to determine the infarct size. The serum bFGF levels were significantly increased at Day 0 and were maintained until Days 7 and 14. Although serum VEGF levels at Day 0 were similar to the baseline values, they showed a remarkable increase by Days 7 and 14. A high serum level of bFGF was detected in the acute phase of AMI, and a later increase in VEGF was determined in the sub-acute phase, which suggest that these 2 growth factors play an important role at different time points of the reconstructing process of infarcted myocardial tissue.     

急性心肌梗死患者外周血液单核细胞中血管内皮生长因子的表达

目的　探讨急性心肌梗死 ( AMI)后外周血单核细胞中血管内皮生长因子 ( VEGF)的表达及其与 AMI左心室收缩功能的关系。方法　分别抽取 2 5例行急诊经皮冠状动脉介入 ( PCI)治疗的 AMI患者发病后第 1、5、10和15 d的外周静脉血 ,分离、培养单核细胞 ,用酶联免疫吸附法 ( ELISA)测定 VEGF浓度。结果　单核细胞分泌的VEGF在 AMI后第 5 d即达高峰 ,显著高于对照组 ( 3 43 .2± 82 .5 pg/ml vs 14 3 .3± 2 4.2 pg/m l,P<0 .0 5 )。单核细胞分泌的 VEGF峰植与肌酸磷酸激酶 ( CK)峰值无显著相关。 PCI术后左心室收缩功能改善的 AMI患者 ,其单核细胞分泌的 VEGF水平显著高于左心室收缩功能未改善者 ( 867.6± 113 .1pg/ml vs2 3 4.8± 82 .4pg/ml,P<0 .0 5 )。结论　AMI患者 PCI术后单核细胞产生的 VEGF与左心室收缩功能改善有关     

Effect of heparin on blood vascular endothelial growth factor levels in patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

It has been demonstrated that high blood vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in patients with myocardial infarction decrease rapidly after reperfusion, possibly in response to heparin administration. We measured serum VEGF concentration before and after heparin infusion in 105 patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Serum VEGF concentration in patients with STEMI was significantly higher than in healthy controls. After PCI, the concentration of VEGF decreased by approximately 70%, with the greatest decrease seen in patients with the highest initial VEGF levels. To determine whether heparin could decrease VEGF concentration by sequestering VEGF in the endothelium, a fixed dose of recombinant VEGF was incubated for 40 minutes with EA.hy926 endothelial cells in vitro. Recovery of VEGF from medium after culture was decreased by up to 15% with increasing doses of heparin. Concentration of VEGF did not change in the absence of heparin and/or endothelial cells. In conclusion, these results suggest that a rapid decrease in blood VEGF after PCI may be related to the administration of heparin, which binds simultaneously to VEGF and endothelial cells.     

静脉应用血管内皮生长因子治疗急性心肌梗死的实验研究

目的探讨静脉应用血管内皮生长因子（ＶＥＧＦ）是否对急性心肌梗死大鼠有利。方法３３只成年雄性ＳＤ大鼠,结扎左冠状动脉后２４ｈ随机接受ＶＥＧＦ－肝素（治疗组）或肝素－生理盐水（对照组）治疗。ＶＥＧＦ（２μｇ／ｍｌ）加肝素５０Ｕ）或肝素－生理盐水（５０Ｕ／ｍｌ）每天经尾静脉注射,共用７ｄ（治疗组ｎ＝８;对照组ｎ＝１０）和１４ｄ（治疗组ｎ＝７;对照组ｎ＝８）。于结扎后９ｄ和１６ｄ分别测定血认动力学参数、心     

Low levels of vascular endothelial growth factor B predict left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction

BackgroundLeft ventricular (LV) remodeling is a prognostically important development after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We recently reported that vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGFB) may be a potential new biomarker of LV remodeling. This potential biomarker was evaluated in the present study.Methods and ResultsPatients with AMI (n = 290) and healthy volunteers (n = 42) were included. Plasma VEGFB levels were assessed before discharge. LV remodeling was determined by echocardiography at 6 months’ follow-up. Levels of VEGFB were elevated in AMI patients compared with healthy volunteers (1.5-fold; P = .001). Mean plasma levels of VEGFB were 64% higher (P < .001) in patients in whom LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) decreased during follow-up (ΔEDV ≤ 0; n = 144; reverse remodeling) compared with patients in whom ΔEDV increased (ΔEDV > 0; n = 146; remodeling). Using logistic regression models, independent relationships were found between VEGFB (odds ratio [OR] 0.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7–0.9; P = .0007) and infarct territory (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1–2.8; P = .02). Patients with anterior MI and low levels of VEGFB had the highest risk of remodeling. VEFGB outperformed N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide to predict LV remodeling, and low levels of VEGFB (<100 pg/mL) provided a specificity of 90%. Adding VEGFB to a clinical model involving age, sex, smoking habit, and infarct territory resulted in a net reclassification index of 11.7%.ConclusionsPlasma levels of VEGFB increase after AMI and correlate with preservation of cardiac function. Low levels of VEGFB accurately predict LV remodeling. Therefore, circulating VEGFB may have clinical utility in the identification of patients at high risk of remodeling after AMI.     

Effect of percutaneous coronary intervention on blood levels of vascular endothelial growth factor,high sensitivity C-reactive protein and fibrinogen in patients with acute myocardial infarction

<正>Objective To study the effects of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)on blood levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),high sensitivity C-reaction protein(hs-CRP)and fibrinogen(Fg)in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods Our research included 2 groups:AMI group,n=110 patients with PCI and Control group,n=53 healthy subjects from     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human myocardial infarction

Summary To define mechanisms that may influence collateral circulation and angiogenesis, we investigated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression in human hearts. In non-ischemic human hearts, VEGF mRNA was not detected in vessels, but was found in cardiomyocytes. In hearts with myocardial infarction, the intensity of the VEGF signal was much higher in smooth muscle cells of arterioles adjacent to necrosis and in infiltrating macrophages than in myocytes around the site of the necrosis. This study suggests that levels of VEGF expression are high in smooth muscle cells and macrophages around infarcted areas after myocardial infarction and that VEGF may play a role in promoting collateral circulation and angiogenesis in human ischemic hearts.     

血管内皮生长因子对急性心肌梗死大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的影响

目的　探讨静脉应用血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF)对急性心肌梗死大鼠心肌细胞凋亡及凋亡相关蛋白P5 3、Fas、Bax和Bcl 2表达的影响。　方法　 3 3只雄性SD大鼠结扎左冠状动脉后 2 4h随机接受VEGF16 5 肝素 (治疗组 )或肝素 生理盐水 (对照组 )治疗。VEGF16 5(2 μg/1ml)加肝素 (5 0U)或肝素 生理盐水 (5 0U/1ml)每天经尾静脉注射 ,共用 7d(治疗组 8只 ,对照组 10只 )和 14d(治疗组 7只 ,对照组 8只 )。于结扎后第 9天和第 16天测定心肌细胞凋亡指数、心肌组织P5 3、Fas、Bax和Bcl 2蛋白的表达。　结果　治疗组的心肌细胞凋亡数量明显少于对照组〔第 9天 :(10± 2 ) %比 (2 8±2 ) % ,P <0 0 1;第 16天 :(6± 2 ) %比 (12± 2 ) % ,P <0 0 5〕 ,VEGF抑制P5 3、Fas和Bax的表达 ,促进Bcl 2的表达。　结论　每天静脉应用VEGF 14d可减少心肌细胞凋亡 ,抑制P5 3、Fas和Bax的表达 ,促进Bcl 2的表达     

Increased vascular endothelial growth factor in acute eosinophilic pneumonia.

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is associated with the presence of diffuse pulmonary infiltrates on the chest radiograph and an increased number of eosinophils and an elevation of interleukin (IL)-5 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a constitutively expressed protein encoded by messenger ribonucleic acid in human eosinophils and is released following stimulation with IL-5. However, the roles of IL-5 and VEGF in the pathogenesis or activity of this disease have not been clarified. The authors investigated the cells and the levels of these two factors in BAL fluid in five AEP patients and five normal controls before and after corticosteroid treatment. The absolute number of eosinophils-mL(-1), IL-5 and VEGF levels in patients before treatment were higher than in controls (53.8 versus 0.3 x 10(4) x mL(-1), 490.1 versus 5.2 pg x mL(-1) and 643.0 versus 133.9 pg x mL(-1), respectively). IL-5 and VEGF rapidly decreased to the control level in parallel with clinical improvement. The relationship between eosinophilia and IL-5 and VEGF levels was strongly significant. Elevated interleukin-5 in the lung may initiate the recruitment of eosinophils and enhance the release of mediators, such as vascular endothelial growth factor from eosinophils, which, in turn, increases the permeability of blood vessels.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA synthesis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

We studied vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA synthesis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in 30 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 20 healthy individuals. PBMCs were isolated from all patients on days 3 and 14 after the onset of aMI, and from all of control individuals. To prepare samples containing identical amounts of GAPDH cDNA, competitive PCR was performed by co-amplifying serial dilutions of GAPDH mutant templates. Next, to measure VEGF cDNA quantitatively in the samples containing identical amounts of GAPDH, we also used competitive PCR by co-amplifying mutant templates of VEGF. The serum VEGF concentrations on day 14 in patients with aMI were measured by an ELISA method. Higher levels of VEGF mRNA in PBMCs were present on day 14 than either on day 3 or in the control group. Serum VEGF concentrations correlated with the VEGF mRNA levels of PBMCs on day 14. Peak serum CK levels correlated well with VEGF mRNA levels of PBMCs on day 14. The present findings suggest that PBMCs may be one of the candidates responsible for elevated circulatory VEGF protein following aMI. In addition, VEGF mRNA may be overexpressed in PBMCs in response to cardiac muscle damage.     

Increased tissue factor pathway inhibitor in patients with acute myocardial infarction

We examined hemostatic abnormalities in 23 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 10 with pulmonary embolism (PE), and 10 with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). At the onset of AMI, plasma levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), PA inhibitor-I (PAI-I), fibrin-D-dimer, thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), and plasmin-plasmin inhibitor complex (PPIC) were significantly increased. Both the plasma total TFPI and free-TFPI levels in the AMI patients were significantly higher than those in the healthy volunteers, PE patients, and DVT patients. There was no significant difference in total TFPI or free-TFPI among patients with PE, those with DVT, and healthy volunteers. One hour after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in the AMI group, the total TFPI level was further increased, and it was significantly reduced 24 hr after PTCA, to a level similar to that in healthy volunteers. Free-TFPI showed a pattern similar to that of total TFPI. The ratio of free-TFPI/total TFPI was highest 1 hr after PTCA. Increased TFPI in AMI patients might be released from ischemic tissues. Am. J. Hematol. 55:183–187, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

血管内皮生长因子水平与大鼠支气管哮喘模型发病机制关系的研究

目的 探讨大鼠支气管哮喘（简称哮喘）模型支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）水平与哮喘嗜酸粒细胞（EOS）炎症及气道血管通透性之间的关系,以及吸人性激素的作用.方法 SD大鼠18只,随机分为对照组,哮喘模型组和地塞米松干预组各6只.以腹腔注射1%卵蛋白致敏和2%卵蛋白雾化吸入激发复制哮喘模型,干预组在每次激发前给予地塞米松干预.检测大鼠气道反应性,BALF中EOS百分数,VEGF（酶联免疫吸附法）及气道血管渗透指数.结果 BALF中EOS百分数,VEGF水平,气道反应性及气道血管渗透指数哮喘组明显高于对照组（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）;经过6周吸人性激素治疗后,地塞米松组BALF中VEGF水平,EOS百分数,气道反应性及气道血管渗透指数较哮喘组明显降低（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）,与对照组比较差异无统计学意义.相关分析显示,BALF中VEGF水平与EOS百分数呈正相关（r=0.76,P〈0.01）;VEGF水平与气道血管渗透指数呈正相关（r=0.84,P〈0.01）;VEGF水平与PC50呈负相关（r=-0.68,P〈0.01）.结论 大鼠哮喘模型BALF中VEGF水平增高,并与气道EOS百分数,气道反应性和气道血管渗透指数密切相关.该结果提示VEGF可能在哮喘的发病机制中起着重要作用.     

血管内皮生长因子水平与大鼠支气管哮喘模型发病机制关系的研究

目的 探讨大鼠支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)模型支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)水平与哮喘嗜酸粒细胞(EOS)炎症及气道血管通透性之间的关系,以及吸入性激素的作用.方法 SD大鼠18只,随机分为对照组,哮喘模型组和地塞米松干预组各6只.以腹腔注射1%卵蛋白致敏和2%卵蛋白雾化吸入激发复制哮喘模型,干预组在每次激发前给予地塞米松干预.检测大鼠气道反应性,BALF中EOS百分数,VEGF(酶联免疫吸附法)及气道血管渗透指数.结果 BALF中EOS百分数,VEGF水平,气道反应性及气道血管渗透指数哮喘组明显高于对照组(P<0.05或P<0.01);经过6周吸入性激素治疗后,地塞米松组BALF中VEGF水平,EOS百分数,气道反应性及气道血管渗透指数较哮喘组明显降低(P<0.05或P<0.01),与对照组比较差异无统计学意义.相关分析显示,BALF中VEGF水平与EOS百分数呈正相关(r=0.76,P<0.01);VEGF水平与气道血管渗透指数呈正相关(r=0.84,P<0.01);VEGF水平与PC50呈负相关(r=-0.68,P<0.01).结论 大鼠哮喘模型BALF中VEGF水平增高,并与气道EOS百分数,气道反应性和气道血管渗透指数密切相关.该结果提示VEGF可能在哮喘的发病机制中起着重要作用.     

急性心肌梗死后血管内皮细胞生长因子及碱性成纤维细胞生长因子表达动态变化

目的　以急性心肌梗死大鼠为模型,观察血管内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)在心肌中的表达,探讨急性缺血缺氧刺激下VEGF和bFGF表达变化与新生血管形成的关系及意义。方法　建立Wistar大鼠急性心肌梗死模型,分为对照组和急性心肌梗死组( 3d ,7d ,1 4d ,2 8d ,4 2d ,56d)。免疫组化检测心肌细胞和内皮细胞中VEGF和bFGF的表达,Ⅷ因子相关抗原标记内皮细胞,检测新生毛细血管密度。结果　实验组心肌梗死后VEGF和bFGF产生量迅速增加,梗死区VEGF和bFGF的表达在梗死后第7天达高峰,2 8天开始下降,4 2天和56天时表达明显下降,新生毛细血管密度与两者产生量成正相关,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义。结论　在心肌梗死急性缺血期心肌细胞和内皮细胞能通过自身分泌VEGF和bFGF协同刺激血管内皮细胞增殖,促进血管形成,从而改善缺血心肌的血液供应。二者的表达在梗死后第7天达到最高峰,第2 8天时开始下降,为选择在表达消退期应用外源性VEGF和bFGF进行基因治疗提供了实验依据。     

Increased serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels in microscopic poly angiitis with pulmonary involvement

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis that affects small vessels, resulting in a wide spectrum of organ involvement including the lungs. However, there are little serological markers that predict its prognosis or severity of pulmonary involvement. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic mediator, which has been reported to be elevated in systemic vasculitis. In this study, we measured serum VEGF levels in 22 MPA patients with pulmonary involvement. We also investigated VEGF expression in pulmonary cells using flow cytometry analysis. We found that serum VEGF levels in MPA patients were significantly higher than those in respiratory or urinary tract infection. The serum VEGF levels decreased in parallel with the improvement of MPA symptoms. The serum VEGF levels in MPA patients who died within 5 years were significantly higher than those who survived more than 5 years. The sensitivity of VEGF levels to distinguish MPA patient with poor prognosis from those with good prognosis was 90.9%, and specificity was 81.8% (cutoff value = 802.5 pg/ml). The serum VEGF levels showed significant positive correlation with the composite physiological index, which indicates the severity of pulmonary lesion. In flow cytometry analysis, CD11b positive bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells expressed VEGF. Immunohistochemically, alveolar macrophages, tissue infiltrating inflammatory cells and alveolar epithelial cells stained positive for VEGF. Measurement of serum VEGF levels in MPA might become one of the markers for prognosis and the severity of pulmonary involvement in MPA. VEGF might contribute to the development of pulmonary lesion of MPA.