Increased serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in human crescentic glomerulonephritis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human crescentic glomerulonephritis (CRGN).


METHODS
The serum VEGF levels in CRGN patients were compared with those in healthy subjects and in various types of glomerulonephritis. In addition, we investigated the relationship between serum VEGF levels and creatinine levels (Scr) and pathological parameters.


RESULTS
The serum VEGF levels of the CRGN patients were significantly higher than in the healthy subjects and patients with MCNS, IgAN, and FGS. No correlation was found between serum VEGF levels and Scr in the RPGN patients. The serum VEGF levels in 6 CRGN patients had significantly decreased after 6 months of corticosteroid therapy. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between the serum VEGF levels and the crescent frequency or the grade of interstitial injury, and the rates of glomerular infiltration by macrophages.


CONCLUSIONS
In the CRGN patients, severe glomerular and interstitial damages would result in increased serum VEGF levels and corticosteroid therapy may exert its efficacy through reduction of serum VEGF levels.
Nitta
K
K
Department of Medicine, Kidney Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan.
Uchida
K
K
Kimata
N
N
Honda
K
K
Horita
S
S
Hayashi
T
T
Ishizuka
T
T
Kobayashi
H
H
Kawashima
A
A
Yumura
W
W
Nihei
H
H
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000097:blood; D005923:Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000150:complications; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000473:pathology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009393:Nephritis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D009402:Nephrosis, Lipoid / Q000097:blood; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000097:blood*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D003404:Creatinine