Are plasma VEGF and its soluble receptor sFlt-1 atherogenic risk factors? Cross-sectional data from the SAPHIR study.
OBJECTIVE
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent hypoxia-regulated angiogenic factor. Its soluble receptor soluble (s)Flt-1 binds VEGF with high affinity inhibiting the angiogenic function of VEGF. The role of circulating VEGF in atherosclerosis is unclear.


RESULTS
In 909 healthy subjects (511 male, 398 female) from the Salzburg Atherosclerosis Prevention Program in Subjects at High Individual Risk (SAPHIR) we determined fasting plasma VEGF and sFlt-1 concentration, cardiovascular risk factors and carotid atherosclerosis. VEGF levels were lower and sFlt-1 levels higher in men than in women. VEGF and sFlt-1 showed a positive correlation. In the entire population VEGF correlated positively with age, BMI, insulin resistance, white blood cell and platelet count, C-reactive protein (CRP) and carotid intima media thickness (IMT). After adjustment for age, VEGF showed a weak positive correlation with BMI, liver enzymes, CRP and platelet count in males. In females VEGF correlated negatively with LDL-cholesterol and positively with insulin resistance and platelet count. After adjustment for age, no significant correlation with carotid atherosclerosis could be detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma VEGF and sFlt-1 are only weakly correlated with cardiovascular risk factors, suggesting that circulating VEGF levels do have only a minor impact on the development of atherosclerosis.
Sandhofer
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine I, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, Innsbruck, Austria. anton.sandhofer@uki.at
Tatarczyk
T
T
Kirchmair
R
R
Iglseder
B
B
Paulweber
B
B
Patsch
J R
JR
Schratzberger
P
P
D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000097:blood*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C501162:FLT1 protein, human; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1