title: Evaluation of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor and its soluble receptors in patients suffering from persistent allergic rhinitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Overexpression and enhanced release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been detected in various types of allergic inflammation, including asthma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To further evaluate the pattern of systemic release of VEGF in atopic allergy, free circulating VEGF was measured in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR).
  
  
  METHODS
  The concentrations of VEGF and its soluble receptors (sVEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2) in plasma were measured in patients with PAR sensitized to house dust mites and the healthy subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were found between PAR patients and healthy subjects with respect to plasma levels of VEGF and its receptors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It seems that free circulating VEGF may not be elevated in PAR patients. Moreover, on the basis of the present study as well as the earlier ones, it appears likely that systemic release of VEGF varies among patients with distinct clinical manifestation of atopy; may depend on severity/activity and the extent of inflammatory response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Bytom, Poland.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koczy-Baron
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Diseases, Dermatology and Allergology, SMDZ in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grzanka
authors.affiliation: Departament of Basic Medical Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jochem
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Internal Diseases, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, SMDZ in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gawlik
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Diseases, Dermatology and Allergology, SMDZ in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kasperska-Zajac
keywords: Allergic rhinitis; House dust mite; Platelet-poor plasma; VEGF receptors; Vascular endothelial growth factor