title: Serum vascular endothelial growth factor165 levels and uterine fibroid volume.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vascular endothelial growth factor165 (VEGF165) demonstrates increased expression in uterine fibroids. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum VEGF165 levels and uterine fibroid volume.
  
  
  METHODS
  On a prospective observational basis, 80 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids underwent hysterectomy. Uterine weight was determined after hysterectomy. Six hours before and 48 h after hysterectomy, serum VEGF165 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Logistic regression analysis showed no correlation between serum VEGF165 levels and uterine weight (r=0.0037; P>0.05). The mean serum VEGF165 level declined significantly from 716.31+/-457.99 to 581.81+/-403.32 pg/mL after hysterectomy (P<0.0001). Controlling for age, body mass index, uterine weight, proliferative or secretory phase, and parity, only parous patients (n=58) were found to have significantly decreased serum VEGF165 levels after hysterectomy (P=0.000035), in contrast to nulliparous patients (n=22; P=0.15).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum VEGF165 levels do not correlate with uterine fibroid volume, but demonstrate a significant decrease after hysterectomy. The decrease in serum VEGF165 levels after hysterectomy was significant in parous but not in nulliparous patients with uterine fibroids. Serum VEGF165 levels may not predict uterine fibroid development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Da-Chung
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jah-Yao
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Gwo-Jang
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chih-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ku
authors.forename: Her-Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Chi-Huang
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010298:Parity; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014599:Uterus / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A