title: [Expression of serum and urinary vascular endothelial growth factor-A and epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 in proliferating hemangioma treated with propranolol].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to investigate the expression levels of serum and urinary vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) in proliferating infantile hemangioma patients under propranolol treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Propranolol (0.5-2 mg x kg(-1)) was orally administered to 30 infants every day for 4-8 months. The Achauer method was used to measure the tumor radius and thus evaluate the clinical curative effects of the treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the serum and urinary concentrations of VEGF-A and EGFL7 at 0, 4, and 12 weeks after the treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The treatment response was excellent in 2 patients, good in 11, moderate in 14, and poor in 3. Serum VEGF-A (335.692 pg x mL(-1) ± 136.146 pg x mL(-1)) was high before the treatment and then significantly decreased after 4 weeks (264.853 pg x mL(-1) ± 122.120 pg x mL(-1)) and 12 weeks (211.345 pg x mL(-1) ± 104.035 pg x mL(-1)) of treatment (P < 0.05). Urinary VEGF-A (76.234 pg x mL(-1) ± 24.169 pg x mL(-1)) was high before the treatment and then significantly decreased after four weeks (56.454 pg x mL(-1) ± l6.111 pg x mL(-1)) and twelve weeks (34.728 pg x mL(-1)) ± 12.656 pg x mL(-1)) of treatment (P < 0.05). Serum and urinary EGFL7 also decreased after the treatment, showing a positive relationship with VEGF-A.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Propranolol can be safely and effectively used to treat proliferating infantile hemangiomas. This treatment can reduce the peripheral serum and urinary concentrations of VEGF-A and EGFL7 in affected children.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bin
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Manli
authors.forename: Liu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jie
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiaopeng
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhaoquan
authors.forename: Gong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhongcheng
mesh_terms: D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006391:Hemangioma; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011433:Propranolol; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
chemical_list: D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D011433:Propranolol