title: Serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor decreased in chronic ketamine abusers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a group of chronic ketamine abusers in comparison to healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-one ketamine abusers who were hospitalized for the treatment of ketamine dependence and 39 healthy controls were recruited. Serum VEGF level was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Psychopathological symptoms were assessed using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum level of VEGF was significantly lower in chronic ketamine abusers compared to healthy controls (64.6±42.1 vs. 92.4±59.4pg/ml, F=7.243, p=0.008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum level of VEGF decreased in chronic ketamine abusers compared to healthy controls.
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Huiai Hospital, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510370, China.
authors.forename: Ni
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Huiai Hospital, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510370, China.
authors.forename: Minling
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
authors.forename: Ke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Huiai Hospital, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510370, China; Shenzhen Mental Health Center, 1080 Cuizhu Rd., Luohu District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ke
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Huiai Hospital, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510370, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Huiai Hospital, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510370, China.
authors.forename: Daping
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Huiai Hospital, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510370, China.
authors.forename: Yuping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Huiai Hospital, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510370, China.
authors.forename: Yuping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ning
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Baiyun Voluntary Drug Rehabilitation Hospital, 586 North of Baiyun Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510440, China.
authors.forename: Xuefeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Huiai Hospital, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510370, China. Electronic address: vglut2@126.com.
authors.forename: Hongbo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D007649:Ketamine
keywords: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Ketamine; Vascular endothelial growth factor