Vascular endothelial growth factor and its soluble receptor in ovarian pathology.
OBJECTIVE
The soluble form of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor, s-VEGFR-1, may negatively regulate the action of VEGF. Our purpose was to better understand the regulation of angiogenetic processes in ovarian cysts.


METHODS
Seventy-three women, 36 with serous cystoadenoma, 30 with ovarian endometriosis and seven with cystoadenocarcinoma, were enrolled. We calculated both VEGF and s-VEGFR-1 levels in cystic fluid and a VEGF activity index by means of the ratio VEGF/s-VEGFR-1. Student's t test was used for the statistical analysis.


RESULTS
We found higher VEGF concentration in both endometriotic and malignant lesions than in serous cystoadenoma (p=0.03 and 0.001, respectively). Also s-VEGFR-1 concentration was higher in endometrioma than in serous cysts (p=0.005); however, there was no statistically significant difference between cystoadenoma and the malignant lesions (p=0.15). VEGF activity index in cystoadenoma, endometriotic and malignant lesions was 0.61, 0.27 and 0.50, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF certainly has an important role in both ovarian endometriosis and for cancer progression; however, the activity index may be better to investigate the real role of VEGF in the pathology we have considered.
Artini
P G
PG
Department of Reproductive Medicine and Child Development, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, S. Chiara Hospital, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. g.artini@obgyn.med.unipi.it
Cristello
F
F
Monti
M
M
Cela
V
V
Battaglia
C
C
D'Ambrogio
G
G
Genazzani
A R
AR
D020420:Cyst Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D003536:Cystadenocarcinoma / Q000737:chemistry; D018293:Cystadenoma, Serous / Q000737:chemistry; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000032:analysis*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1