Tissue factor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor and vascular endothelial growth factor-A in carotid atherosclerotic plaques.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the concentration of tissue factor (TF), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in carotid plaques.


METHODS
Thirty-eight consecutive patients (20 symptomatic, 18 asymptomatic) undergoing carotid endarterectomy were enrolled into the current study. The concentration of TF, TFPI and VEGF-A in carotid plaque homogenates and blood plasma was measured using enzyme immunoassay.


RESULTS
The concentration of TF in carotid plaque homogenates was 60 fold higher than in blood plasma. There were no statistically significant differences between the concentration of TF, TFPI and VEGF-A in symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques. Carotid plaques of diabetic patients contained an increased level of TF and VEGF-A ( p = 0.002, p = 0.005). The plaque concentration of VEGF-A was elevated among older patients ( p = 0.02). Carotid plaques of non-smokers contained an increased level of TFPI ( p = 0.03). The concentration of TF, TFPI and VEGF-A in carotid plaques correlated positively with plasma level of these factors ( R = 0.86; p < 0.0001; R = 0.91; p < 0.0001; R = 0.80; p = 0.001, respectively). A highly positive correlation between concentration of VEGF-A and TF, TFPI in carotid plaques was also observed ( R = 0.75; p < 0.001; R = 0.62; p < 0.001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
TF, TFPI and VEGF-A concentrations do not differ in atheroma removed from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients but are higher in diabetic patients. There is a highly positive correlation between the level of VEGF-A and TF, TFPI in carotid plaques.
Migdalski
A
A
Department of Surgery, Rydygier Medical University, Bydgoszcz, Poland. armigos@wp.pl
Kotschy
M
M
Jawien
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A
D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013925:Thromboplastin / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D008074:Lipoproteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C051928:lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor; D013925:Thromboplastin