title: Salivary levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in recurrent aphthous ulceration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a multifunctional angiogenic cytokine involved in angiogenesis and wound healing. Its presence in recurrent aphthous ulceration has not been reported to date. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of salivary levels of VEGF with various stages of recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU).
  
  
  METHODS
  VEGF levels were determined in a group of 27 age and sex-matched healthy controls and in 30 patients with minor and major RAU grouped into the three stages: (I) early active stage, (II) active stage, and (III) remission period. VEGF levels (pg/ml; mean +/- SD) in unstimulated whole saliva were determined by enzyme immunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with major RAU - stages I and II - had decreased VEGF values (765 +/- 458 and 341 +/- 109, respectively) when compared both to healthy controls (1652 +/- 567; P < 0.01) and to stage III major RAU (1524 +/- 784; P < 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Salivary VEGF levels seemed to be associated with ulcer development in major RAU, showing stage-dependent alterations during the course of this disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia. ssuzana@hotmail.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brozovic
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vucicevic-Boras
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mravak-Stipetic
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jukic
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kleinheinz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lukac
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012636:Secretory Rate; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors