title: Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor during First Six Months of Peritoneal Dialysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) up-regulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) synthesis and VEGF is found in drained dialysate (dd).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Aims of this prospective study were to evaluate serum (s) and ddVEGF concentration during the first six months of PD, relationships between these concentrations and demographic and biochemical parameters, presence of diabetes, peritonitis, and the use of medications.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 20 patients, with the mean age of 62.9±12.69, 11 of whom were affected by diabetes mellitus. Fasting venous blood samples were taken at the beginning and after six months of PD, in tri-potassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (K3EDTA) vacutainer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After six months of PD, sVEGF concentrations increased significantly, without significant change in ddVEGF. Concentrations of sVEGF at the beginning of chronic PD treatment directly significantly correlated with serum fibrinogen, and after six months with fibrinogen and glycemia. In patients receiving erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA), levels of sVEGF and ddVEGF were lower at baseline, while after six months of PD ddVEGF increased. in patients not receiving ESA, sVEGF increased more prominently, while ddVEGF decreased.The changes were not statistically significant. Patients receiving angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) had sVEGF and ddVEGF levels insignificantly lower than those not using ACEi, however sVEGF significantly increased during six months of PD. After six months of PD, ddVEGF was significantly higher compared to those not using ACEi. Treatment with statins did not significantly influence levels of sVEGF and ddVEGF during the follow-up. Concentrations of sVEGF were continually lower than those of ddVEGF and increased more, while concentrations of ddVEGF were higher in patients using statins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum and drained dialysate concentrations of VEGF in PD patients were connected with poorer metabolic profile, while the role of inflammation and treatment agents should be studied further.
authors.forename: Biljana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stojimirović
authors.forename: Nataša
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jovanović
authors.forename: Jasna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trbojević-Stanković
authors.forename: Slobodan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krstić
authors.forename: Dejan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nešić
authors.forename: Snežana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Žunić-Božinovski
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A