title: [Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with interferon alpha and ribavirin].
abstract: Liver fibrosis is a result of disturbed balance between extracellular matrix protein synthesis and degradation. Growth factors may play the meaningful role in pathogenesis of fibrosis. The aim of the study was the assessment of VEGF role in pathogenesis of fibrosis associated with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and evaluation of the influence of antiviral therapy on VEGF levels depending on treatment results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study group included 100 CHC patients with fibrosis (Scheuer: 1-4 points). Control group included 30 HCVAb-positive subjects with normal ALT, without fibrosis (Scheuer: 0 points). From all subjects blood samples were taken at the beginning of the study. From study group patients blood samples were also collected after the treatment with Rebetron.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in VEGF levels between CHC group and control group. Significant negative correlation between VEGF levels and inflammatory activity (R = -0.40; p < 0.01) and fibrosis stage (R = -0.30; p < 0.05) was observed. After antiviral treatment significant elevation of VEGF occurred in responders (112.8 vs. 315.03 pg/ml; p < 0.05), but not in non-responders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1. Progression of liver lesions is correlated with reduction of VEGF levels. 2. Good therapeutic effect is connected with the elevation of VEGF levels. 3. Angiogenesis stimulation by VEGF probably is an important element in regenerative processes accompanying fibrosis regression.
authors.affiliation: Katedry i Oddziału Klinicznego Chorób Zakaźnych w Chorzowie, Slaskiej Akademii Medycznej w Katowicach. e.janczewska@neostrada.pl
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Janczewska-Kazek
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marek
authors.forename: Arkadiusz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pisula
authors.forename: Dariusz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kajdaniuk
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Witor
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Magiera
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Witor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D012254:Ribavirin