Vascular endothelial growth factor levels in active pulmonary tuberculosis.
BACKGROUND
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a mediator with potent angiogenic, mitogenic, and vascular permeability-enhancing activities that are specific for endothelial cells. Intense angiogenesis has been found in active pulmonary tuberculosis lesions.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether active pulmonary tuberculosis is associated with increased serum levels of VEGF compared with inactive tuberculosis and VEGF levels in healthy subjects, and to assess the changes in serum VEGF levels before and after therapy.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
Chest clinic of a university hospital, Eskisehir, Turkey.


METHODS
Serum VEGF levels of 44 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, 24 patients with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, and 20 healthy subjects were determined.


RESULTS
VEGF levels were increased in active pulmonary tuberculosis patients (mean [+/- SD] VEGF level, 598.03 +/- 298.25 pg/mL) compared to both inactive pulmonary tuberculosis patients (mean VEGF level, 296.98 +/- 115.31 pg/mL) and control subjects (mean VEGF level, 339.67 +/- 74.65 pg/mL). The increase in VEGF level observed in patients with active tuberculosis was statistically significant when compared with levels in two other groups (p < 0.001 for both). Serum VEGF levels were statistically different before treatment and after treatment in 10 patients who were observed from diagnosis to the end of treatment (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Increased serum VEGF levels may be an indicator of active pulmonary tuberculosis, since levels were higher in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and were lower after successful treatment. The role of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis in the pathogenesis and progression of pulmonary tuberculosis lesions should be further elucidated.
Alatas
Füsun
F
Department of Chest Diseases, The Medical School, Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey. fusunalatas@yahoo.com
Alatas
Ozkan
O
Metintas
Muzaffer
M
Ozarslan
Aysen
A
Erginel
Sinan
S
Yildirim
Hüseyin
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors