Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ankylosing spondylitis--a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Angiogenesis is important for the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases in joints. Inflammation itself may upregulate the expression of VEGF in rheumatic diseases. Angiogenesis may become a new target for therapeutic intervention in inflammatory joint disease.


OBJECTIVE
To examine plasma levels of VEGF in AS patients and to test a possible correlation with serological and/or clinical parameters.


METHODS
Sixteen consecutive patients with definite AS were recruited from the Gasteiner Heilstollen Hospital and compared to eight healthy probands as controls. VEGF was determined in EDTA plasma samples by using an ELISA kit. Data are given as mean values (+/- SEM). The Spearman two-sided test was used to test possible correlations.


RESULTS
EDTA-plasma levels of VEGF were 75.3 +/- 19.0 pg/ml, compared to 13.8 +/- 4.7 pg/ml measured in the control group (P = 0.001). A significant correlation was found between plasma VEGF of AS patients and the BASMI score (r = 0.665, P = 0.013). Whereas VEGF was elevated in patients without treatment or NSAIDs (88.9 +/- 24.2 pg/ml), lower levels up to 43.8 pg/ml were found in patients treated with corticosteroids (34.7 +/- 4.0 pg/ml, P = 0.039).


CONCLUSIONS
Disease status of AS appears to be associated with elevated VEGF plasma levels. Whether this reflects inflammation or a truly angiogenic pathomechanism requires further investigation.
Goldberger
C
C
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck.
Dulak
J
J
Duftner
C
C
Weidinger
F
F
Falkenbach
A
A
Schirmer
M
M
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D012016:Reference Values; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors