title: Vascular endothelial growth factor and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: the interplay with exercise and noninvasive ventilation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with reference to the effects of respiratory failure, noninvasive ventilation (NIV), and exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied plasma VEGF levels in 83 ALS patients, 20 healthy controls, and 10 patients with other disorders. There were 4 groups of ALS patients: G1, 27 patients without respiratory problems; G2, 14 patients stabilized on nocturnal NIV; G3, 30 patients presenting with respiratory failure; G4, 12 patients on an aerobic exercise protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VEGF plasma levels did not differ significantly between ALS patients and controls, or between ALS groups. In G3, the mean VEGF levels increased 75% during NIV. In G4, the mean VEGF level increased by 300% during the exercise program. VEGF levels did not change during the course of the disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VEGF levels in ALS depend on changes in ventilation and exercise but are probably not affected by the disease process itself.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carilho
authors.forename: Mamede
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Carvalho
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swash
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Anabela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Júlia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Costa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063087:Noninvasive Ventilation / Q000379:methods*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; biomarker; exercise; noninvasive ventilation; plasma VEGF levels