title: [Effect of propranolol gel on plasma VEGF, bFGF and MMP-9 in proliferating infantile hemangiomas of superficial type].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of topical propranolol gel on the levels of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) in proliferating infantile hemangiomas (IHs) of superficial type.
  
  
  METHODS
  33 consecutive children with superficial IHs were observed pre-treatment, 1 and 3 months after application of topical propranolol gel for the levels of plasma VEGF, MMP-9 and bFGF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in Department of General Surgery of Dongfang Hospital from February 2013 to February 2014. The plasma results of IHs were compared with those of 30 healthy infants. The clinical efficacy in IHs was evaluated by Achauer system. Differences of plasma results between the healthy group and the IHs group pre-treatment were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U-test. Paired sample comparisons of any two time points of pre-treatment, 1 month and 3 months after treatment in IHs were evaluated by Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The clinical efficiency of topical propranolol gel at 1, 3 months after application were 45.45%, 81.82% respectively. The levels of plasma VEGF and MMP-9 in patients pre- treatment were higher than those in healthy infants [(362.16 ± 27.29) pg/ml vs (85.63 ± 8.14) pg/ml, (1376.41 ± 42.15) pg/ml vs (687.27 ± 44.1) pg/ml, P < 0.05], but the level of bFGF did not show significant difference [(176.03 ± 13.60 ) pg/ml vs (235.94 ± 35.43 ) pg/ml, P > 0. 05 ]. The concentrations of VEGF and bFGF at 1, 3 months after treatment decreased obviously [(271.51 ± 18.59) pg/ml vs (362.16 ± 27.29 ) pg/ml, (135.85 ± 12.66) pg/ml vs (176.03 ± 13.60) pg/ml], 1 month after treatment vs pre-treatment, P < 0.05; (240.80 ± 19.89) pg/ml vs (362.16 ± 27.29) pg/ml, (107.31 ± 5.82) pg/ml vs (176.03 ± 13.60) pg/ml, 3 month after treatment vs pre-treatment, P < 0.05, whereas the levels of plasma MMP-9 declined slightly [(1321.18 ± 48.74) pg/ml vs (1376.41 ± 42.15 ) pg/ml, (1468.68 ± 32.78) pg/ml vs (1376.41 ± 42 2.15 ) pg/ml, P > 0.05 ].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Propranolol gel may suppress the proliferation of superficial infantile bemangiomas by reducing VEGF and bFGF.
authors.forename: Tang
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yujuan
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shaoquan
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zaizhong
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shuming
authors.forename: Huang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guoliang
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lie
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000097:blood*; D005782:Gels; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D011433:Propranolol; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9