title: Aortitis syndrome (Takayasu's arteritis) with cataract and elevated serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor.
abstract: The aortitis syndrome is a chronic inflammatory process that affects the aorta and its primary branches. Patients with aortitis syndrome exhibit various ocular changes. We present a patient in whom cataract was the initial objective finding. The serum concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor, a cytokine that affects neovascularization, and vasopermeability, was elevated before the initiation of prednisolone treatment. Cataract should be considered as a possible characteristic initial finding in patients with aortitis syndrome. Vascular endothelial growth factor may be involved in the progression of aortitis syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mitsuyama
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koga
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsuo
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Teshima
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sakisaka
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sata
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanikawa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000792:Angiography; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002386:Cataract / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D011239:Prednisolone; D000527:Alprostadil; C059238:limaprost