title: Clinical significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor in young male asthma patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important mediator of angiogenesis. However, little is known about the potential use of serum levels of VEGF as a biomarker for asthma. We investigated the differences in VEGF levels among normal controls, stable asthma patients, and those with exacerbation of acute asthma. All subjects were young males.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured VEGF levels in each patient group, and examined any serial changes in those with acute exacerbation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VEGF levels were significantly higher in stable asthmatic patients and even more so in acute asthmatic patients, compared to healthy controls. However, there was no correlation between VEGF levels and forced expiratory volume in 1 second in patients with stable asthma. In addition, there were no correlations between VEGF levels and asthma control test scores. In patients with acute exacerbation, VEGF levels significantly increased during the acute period; their levels decreased gradually at 7 and 14 days after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared to normal control patients, the serum levels of VEGF were elevated in stable asthma patients and even more elevated in patients with acute exacerbation. However, the role of VEGF as a biomarker in stable asthma is limited. In patients with acute exacerbation, VEGF levels were associated with clinical improvements.
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hea Yon
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Hoon
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The Armed Forces Capital Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chin Kook
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Rhee
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: Asthma; Lung function; Serum; Vascular endothelial growth factor A