title: Serum VEGF and bFGF in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The role of angiogenesis in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) remains controversial. We investigated the role of serum concentration levels of VEGF and bFGF in IBD patients and assessed their potential association to disease activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were obtained from 40 IBD patients with moderate to severe attack of the disease and 40 healthy controls. VEGF and bFGF serum levels were assessed. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured as markers of disease activity and correlated to VEGF and bFGF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The demographic characteristics of both patients and controls were homogenous, in regard of age, sex, smoke and concomitant diseases. VEGF serum levels were significantly higher in IBD patients compared to controls (1158.5±845.4 pg/ml vs 464.6±283.1 pg/ml, p<0.001). Serum concentration levels of bFGF did not differ between groups. Linear regression analysis showed no direct association between VEGF or bFGF and CRP or ESR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VEGF, but not bFGF, may have a prominent role in patients with IBD, without though direct association to disease activity.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  bFGF, Inflammatory bowel disease, VEGF.
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Kopanakis
authors: Athanasia
authors: A
authors: Saiti
authors: Efthimios
authors: E
authors: D'Avgerinos
authors: Kiriaki
authors: K
authors: Masselou
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Simiri
authors: Aikaterini
authors: A
authors: Mandaraka
authors: Georgios
authors: G
authors: Vasiliadis
authors: Vaggelogiannis
authors: V
authors: Katergiannakis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000097:blood; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D002097:C-Reactive Protein