Adenosine infusion increases plasma levels of VEGF in humans.
BACKGROUND
Many in vitro studies have shown that adenosine (Ado) can induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein expression and stimulate endothelial proliferation. In the present study, we seek to determine whether Ado can increase circulating levels of VEGF protein in the intact human.


METHODS
Five outpatients 49.3 +/- 6.7 years of age and weighing 88.2 +/- 8.5 kg were selected. They were given a 6 min intravenous infusion of Ado (0.14 mg kg-1 min-1) in conjunction with sestamibi myocardial perfusion scans. Mean blood pressure (MBP, calculated from systolic and diastolic values) and heart rate (HR) were determined before Ado infusion and every 2 min for the next 10 min. Plasma VEGF concentrations (ELISA) were determined immediately before Ado infusion and 1 h, 2 h, and 8 h after the infusion.


RESULTS
Plasma VEGF concentration averaged 20.3 +/- 2.0 pg ml-1 prior to Ado infusion, and increased to 62.7 +/- 18.1 pg ml-1 at 1 h post- infusion (p < 0.01). VEGF plasma concentration returned to basal levels 2 h after infusion (23.3 +/- 3.4 pg ml-1). MBP averaged 116 +/- 7 mmHg and heart rate averaged 70 +/- 7 prior to Ado infusion. MBP decreased by a maximum of approximately 22% and HR increased by a maximum of approximately 17% during the infusion.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude from these preliminary findings that intravenous infusion of adenosine can increase plasma levels of VEGF in humans.
Adair
Thomas H
TH
Angiogenesis Research Laboratories, Center for Excellence in Cardiovascular-Renal Research, Department of Physiology & Biophysics University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, MS 39216, USA. tadair@physiology.umsmed.edu
Cotten
Reid
R
Gu
Jian-Wei
JW
Pryor
Janelle S
JS
Bennett
Kenneth R
KR
McMullan
Michael R
MR
McDonnell
Preston
P
Montani
Jean-Pierre
JP
D000241:Adenosine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000241:Adenosine