title: The association between high VEGF levels and multiple probable punctuate cavernous malformations.
abstract: Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are congenital abnormalities of the cerebral vessels. The de novo development of new lesions in this disease has been reported. However, the underlying mechanism of progressive CCMs in such patients remains unclear. This report documents two cases of multiple probable CCMs that showed a progressive behaviour. The plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The concentration of both VEGF and TGF-beta1 in plasma was increased in these patients. A relationship was observed between high concentrations of growth factors and progressive CCMs. Even though a causal linkage between these conditions cannot be confirmed, a continuous high VEGF level in plasma could be a possible clinical indicator for subsequent intracerebral haemorrhages in the CCM patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Oita University School of Medicine, Hasama-machi, Idaigaoka 1-1, Hasama, Yufu, Oita 879-5593, Japan. abet@med.oita-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morishige
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ooba
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamida
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujiki
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakoda
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kimba
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D015984:Causality; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D020786:Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A