Serum vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and adropin levels in age-related macular degeneration

AIM： To investigate the serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2（VEGFR-2） and adropin in age-related macular degeneration（AMD）patients.·METHODS： Ninety-eight AMD patients were included in the study. Seventy-eight age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group.Fundus florescein angiography and optical coherence tomography were performed to assess the posterior segment details. Serum VEGFR-2 and adropin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and compared between the study groups.· RESULTS： AMD group had significantly increased foveal retinal thickness, serum LDL and HDL levels and significantly decreased subfoveal choroidal thickness（P =0.01, 0.047, 0.025 and 〈0.001, respectively）. Serum VEGFR-2level revealed a significant decrease in AMD patients compared to controls（26.48 ±6.44 vs 30.42 ±7.92 ng/m L,P 〈0.001）. There was an insignificant increase in serum adropin level in AMD patients（6.17±3.19 vs 5.79±2.71 ng/m L,P =0.4）. Serum level of VEGFR-2 in AMD patients had a significant negative correlation with foveal retinal thickness（r =-0.226, P =0.025） and a significant positive correlation with subfoveal choroidal thickness（r=0.2, P=0.048）.·CONCLUSION： The current study demonstrated that the decreased serum VEGFR-2 level may be considered in the development of AMD. Adropin does not seem to play a role in the pathogenesis of AMD.

Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor enhances the neuroprotective effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in ischemic stroke

Although bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)might have therapeutic potency in ischemic stroke,the benefits are limited.The current study investigated the effects of BMSCs engineered to overexpress vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)on behavioral defects in a rat model of transient cerebral ischemia,which was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion.VEGF-BMSCs or control grafts were injected into the left striatum of the infarcted hemisphere 24 hours after stroke.We found that compared with the stroke-only group and the vehicle-and BMSCs-control groups,the VEGF-BMSCs treated animals displayed the largest benefits,as evidenced by attenuated behavioral defects and smaller infarct volume 7 days after stroke.Additionally,VEGF-BMSCs greatly inhibited destruction of the blood-brain barrier,increased the regeneration of blood vessels in the region of ischemic penumbra,and reducedneuronal degeneration surrounding the infarct core.Further mechanistic studies showed that among all transplant groups,VEGF-BMSCs transplantation induced the highest level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.These results suggest that BMSCs transplantation with vascular endothelial growth factor has the potential to treat ischemic stroke with better results than are currently available.

Expression of angiopoietins, Tie2 and vascular endothelial growth factor in angiogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM： TO investigate the significance of angiopoietins, Tie2 and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） expression in the angiogenesis and progress of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. METHODS： Fresh surgically resected specimens of HCC and noncancerous liver （NCL） tissue from 38 patients with HCC were obtained, and expression of angiopoietin-1 （Ang-1）, angiopoietin-2 （Ang-2）, Tie2, and VEGF messenger RNA （mRNA） was examined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. Expression pattern of each gene in HCC and NCL tissue specimens was compared and the potential role and interaction in angiogenesis of HCC were analyzed. Genes＇ expression level and its relationship with tumor＇s clinicopathological parameters were also investigated. Immunohistochemical staining of CD34 was performed to determine the microvessel density （MVD） and Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio was calculated. Relationships between Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio, VEGF and MVD and clinicopathological features were also tested so as to evaluate their significance in the progression of HCC. RESULTS： Ang-2 and VEGF mRNAs in HCC were significantly higher than those in NCL tissue （P 〈 0.05）, whereas the Ang-1 and Tie2 mRNAs showed no statistical significance （P 〉 0.05）, though slightly lower level of Ang-1 mRNA in HCC was observed. Ang-2/ Ang-1 ratio and VEGF were both positively correlated to MVD. The Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio, Ang-2 and VEGF were all associated with tumor＇s clinicopathological parameters （P 〈 0.05） except for histological grades （P 〉 0.05）. Ang-1 and Tie2 levels in different clinicopathological groups were not significantly different （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Dominant Ang-2 expression against Ang-1 through Tie2 receptor in the presence of VEGF plays a critical role in initiating early neovascularization and transformation of noncancerous liver to hepatocellular carcinoma. Its consequently constant operation in formed HCC induces further angiogenesis and progression of HCC.

The Effect of Simvastatin on mRNA Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-β1,Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Tooth Extraction Socket

Aim To determine the effect of local simvastatin application on the mRNA expression level of transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1）, bone morphogenetic protein-2 （BMP-2） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in the tooth sockets of rat. Methodology Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into experimental and control groups （n=24）. Polylactic acid/polyglycolic acid copolymer carriers, with or without simvastatin, were implanted into extraction sockets of right mandibular incisors. The expression of TGF-β1, BMP-2 and VEGF mRNA was determined by in situ hybridization in the tooth extraction socket at five days, one week, two weeks and four weeks after implantation. Results The fusiform stroma cells in the tooth extraction socket began to express TGF-β1, BMP-2 and VEGF mRNA in both experimental and control groups from one week after tooth extraction until the end of experiment. The expression of TGF-131 and BMP-2 mRNA in the experimental group was significantly up-regulated after one, two and four weeks, and expression of VEGF mRNA was significantly increased after one and two weeks compared with that in the control group. Conclusion The findings indicate that local administration of simvastatin can influence alveolar bone remodeling by regulating the expression of a school of growth factors which are crucial to osteogenesis in the tooth extraction socket.

Expression of thymidine kinase mediated by a novel non-viral delivery system under the control of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 promoter selectively kills human umbilical vein endothelial cells

AIM: To investigate the killing efficiency of a recombinant plasmid containing a thymidine kinase (TK) domain insert driven by the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) promoter (KDR) on vascular endothelial cells.METHODS: The KDR-TK fragment was extracted from pBluescript Ⅱ KDR-TK plasmid by enzymatic digestion with Xho I and Sal I. The enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) carrier was extracted from pEGFP by the same procedure. The KDR-TK was inserted into the pEGFP carrier to construct pEGFP-KDR-TK. Using ultrasound irradiation and microbubble, pEGFP-KDR-TK was transferred into human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The transient infection rate was estimated by green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression. Transfected HUVECs, non-transfected HUVECs, and HepG2 cells were cultured in the presence of different concentrations of ganciclovir (GCV), and the killing efficacy of HSV-TK/GCV was analyzed by 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. RESULTS: The recombinant pEGFP-KDR-TK was successfully constructed by inserting the KDR-TK fragment into the pEGFP carrier. Transfected HUVECs showed cytoplasmic green fluorescence, and the transient transfection rate was about 20.3%. Pools of G418-resistant cells exhibited a higher sensitivity to theprodrug/GCV compared to non-transfected HUVECs or non-transfected HepG2 cells, respectively. CONCLUSION: KDR promoter and the suicide gene/prodrug system mediated by diagnostic ultrasound combined with microbubble can significantly kill HUVECs. Such therapy may present a novel and attractive approach to target gene therapy on tumor vessels.

Increased serum levels of soluble CD146 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration

AIM: To investigate serum levels of soluble CD146(s CD146) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2) in patients with age-related macular degeneration(AMD). METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with exudative AMD and 45 sex-and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study conducted in China. Serum samples was obtained from the patients with exudative AMD and from the controls. Serum sCD146 and VEGFR2 protein levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS: We found that serum sCD146 and VEGFR2 protein levels were significantly higher in the patients with exudative AMD group than in the controls(t=3.859, P<0.001 and t=3.829, P<0.001, respectively). Serum sCD146 levels were significantly higher in patients with classic choroidal neovascularization(CNV) than in those with occult CNV(t=9.899, P<0.001). There was a significant difference in the trend for exudative AMD in the highest versus lowest quartile of circulating sCD146 levels(χ2=10.29, P=0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve was 0.696 for s CD146(95%CI: 0.601-0.791) with an optimum diagnostic cut-off value of 157.16 ng/mL, a sensitivity of 55.7%, and a specificity of 82.2%.CONCLUSION: The serum sCD146 level increases and may be a biomarker for exudative AMD.

Role of serum β2-microglobulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, and vascular endothelial growth factor levels in diabetic nephropathy

BACKGROUND Diabetic nephropathy(DN)is a common complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes that can lead to kidney damage and high blood pressure.Increasing evidence support the important roles of microproteins and cytokines,such asβ2-microglobulin(β2-MG),glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),in the pathogenesis of this disease.In this study,we identified novel therapeutic options for this disease.AIM To analyze the guiding significance ofβ2-MG,HbA1c,and VEGF levels in patients with DN.METHODS A total of 107 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with nephropathy and treated in our hospital from May 2018 to February 2021 were included in the study.Additionally,107 healthy individuals and 107 patients with simple diabetes mellitus were selected as the control groups.Changes inβ2-MG,HbA1c,and VEGF levels in the three groups as well as the different proteinuria exhibited by the three groups were examined.RESULTS Changes inβ2-MG,HbA1c,and VEGF levels in the disease,healthy,and simple diabetes groups were significantly different(P<0.05).The expression of these factors from high to low were evaluated in different groups by pairwise comparison.In the disease group,high to low changes inβ2-MG,HbA1c,and VEGF levels were noted in the massive proteinuria,microproteinuria,and normal urinary protein groups,respectively.Changes in these factors were positively correlated with disease progression.CONCLUSION The expression of serumβ2-MG,HbA1c,and VEGF was closely correlated with DN progression,and disease progression could be evaluated by these factors.

Effect of c-fos antisense probe on prostaglandin E_2-induced upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA in human liver cancer cells

AIM: To examine the effect of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) HepG2 cells and the possible involvement of c-fos protein in this process.METHODS: Human HCC HepG2 cells were divided into three groups treated respectively with PGE2, a combination of PGE2 and c-fos antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASO),and PGE2 plus c-fos sense oligodeoxynudeotide (SO). The expression of VEGF mRNA in HepG2 cells after different treatments was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The relative expression level of VEGF mRNA in HepG2 cells in each group was measured.RESULTS: Administration of PGE2 resulted in an increased expression of c-fosand VEGF mRNA in HepG2 cells. The relative expression level of c-fos mRNA reached the peak at 3 h (68.4±4.7%) after PGE2 treatment, which was significantly higher than that at 0 h (20.6±1.7%, P＜0.01).Whereas, the highest expression level of VEGF mRNA was observed at 6 h (100.5±6.1%) after PGE2 treatment, which was significantly higher than that at 0 h (33.2±2.4%,P＜0.01). C-fos ASO significantly reduced PGE2-induced VEGF mRNA expression in HepG2 cells.CONCLUSION: PGE2 increases the expression and secretion of VEGF in HCC cells by activating the transcription factor c-fos, promotes the angiogenesis of HCC and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver cancer.

Inhibitory effect of interferon-α-2b on expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor in human hepatocellular carcinoma inoculated in nude mice

AIM： To evaluate the effects of interferon-α-2b （IFN- α-2b） on expression of cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in human hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） inoculated in nude mice and to study the underlying mechanism of IFN-α- 2b against HCC growth. METHODS： Thirb/-two nude mice bearing human HCC were randomly divided into four groups （n = 8）. On the 10th day after implantation of HCC cells, the mice in test groups （groups A, B and C） received IFN-α- 2b at a serial dose （10000 IU for group A, 20000 IU for group B, 40000 IU for group C sc daily） for 35 d. The mice in control group received normal saline （NS）. The growth conditions of transplanted tumors were observed. Both genes and proteins of COX-2 and VEGF were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Apoptosis of tumor cells in nude mice was detected by TUNEL assay after treatment with IFN-α-2b. RESULTS： Tumors were significantly smaller and had a lower weight in the IFN-α-2b treatment groups than those in the control group （P 〈 0.01）, and the tumor growth inhibition rate in groups A, B and C was 27.78%, 65.22% and 49.64%, respectively. The expression levels of both genes and proteins of COX-2 and VEGF were much lower in the IFN-α-2b treatment groups than in the control group （P 〈 0.01）. The apoptosis index （AI） of tumor cells in the IFN-α-2b treatment groups was markedly higher than that in the control group （P 〈 0.01）. Group B had a higher inhibition rate of tumor growth, a lower expression level of COX-2 and VEGF and a higher AI than groups A and C （P 〈 0.05）, but there was no significant difference between groups A and C. CONCLUSION： The inhibitory effects of IFN-α-2b on implanted tumor growth and apoptosis may be associated with the down-regulation of COX-2 and VEGF expression. There is a dose-effect relationship. The medium dose of IFN-α-2b for inhibiting tumor growth is 20 000 IU/d.

GENISTEIN INHIBITS EXPRESSION OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR IN HER-2/NEU TRANSFECTED HUMAN BREAST CANCER MCF-7 CELLS

Objective： our previous studies have demonstrated that HER-2/neu gene expression in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells promotes angiogenesis in MCF-7 cells xenograft tumors, and genistein inhibits angiogenesis in MCF-7 cells with HER-2/neu expression xenograft tumors. Here, the effects of genistein on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in MCR-7 cells with HER-2/neu expression were further studied for exploring the molecular mechanism of anti-angiogenesis in HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer by genistein. Methods： HER-2/neu-overexpressing MCF-7 cells （MCF-7/HER-2） were established by transfecting HEg-2/neu gene into HER-2/neu negative expression breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Immunocytochemical staining, western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） were adopted to measure the expression of VEGF in MCF-7/HER-2 cells treated by genistein for 24, 48 and 72h. Results： HER-2/neu expression up-regulated VEGF mRNA and protein in MCF-7 cells, genistein decreased VEGF mRNA and protein level in MCF-7/HER-2 cells in a time-dependent manner. Conclusion： These results suggest that VEGF plays an important role in HER-2/neu gene expression promoted antiogenesis in breast cancer and genistein induced down-regulation of the expression of VEGF may be one of the molecular mechanisms of its anti-angiogenesis in HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer.

Three-dimensional-arterial spin labeling perfusion correlation with diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction and vascular endothelial growth factor in type 2 diabetes mellitus rat

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) has been strongly associated with an increased risk of developing cognitive dysfunction and dementia.The mechanisms of diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction(DACD) have not been fully elucidated to date.Some studies proved lower cerebral blood flow(CBF) in the hippocampus was associated with poor executive function and memory in T2DM.Increasing evidence showed that diabetes leads to abnormal vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) expression and CBF changes in humans and animal models.In this study,we hypothesized that DACD was correlated with CBF alteration as measured by three-dimensional(3D) arterial spin labeling(3D-ASL) and VEGF expression in the hippocampus.AIM To assess the correlation between CBF(measured by 3D-ASL and VEGF expression) and DACD in a rat model of T2DM.METHODS Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into control and T2DM groups.The T2DM group was established by feeding rats a high-fat diet and glucose to induce impaired glucose tolerance and then injecting them with streptozotocin to induce T2DM.Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze experiment.The CBF changes were measured by 3D-ASL magnetic resonance imaging.VEGF expression was determined using immunofluorescence.RESULTS The escape latency time significantly reduced 15 wk after streptozotocin injection in the T2DM group.The total distance traveled was longer in the T2DM group;also,the platform was crossed fewer times.The percentage of distance in the target zone significantly decreased.CBF decreased in the bilateral hippocampus in the T2DM group.No difference was found between the right CBF value and the left CBF value in the T2DM group.The VEGF expression level in the hippocampus was lower in the T2DM group and correlated with the CBF value.The escape latency negatively correlated with the CBF value.The number of rats crossing the platform positively correlated with the CBF value.CONCLUSION Low CBF in the hippocampus and decreased VEGF expression might be crucial in DACD.CBF measured by 3D-ASL might serve as a noninvasive imaging biomarker for cognitive impairment associated with T2DM.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factorl65-regulated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cell Lines Invasion and Migration Involve Expression and Activation of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2

The effect of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） overexpression on matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2） in nasopharyngeal carcinoma （NPC） cells in vitro and the possible mechanism involved were investigated, and the correlation between the expression of VEGF and MMP-2 in NPC evaluated. The NPC cells were transfected with PAd-trackVEGF165 plasmid. The expression levels of VEGF and MMP-2 mRNA and protein in NPC cells were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. It was found that the expression of VEGF and MMP-2 mRNA and protein was significantly increased in NPC cells after transfection of VEGF 165. It was concluded that the expression of VEGF was correlated to the in vitro invasion of NPC cells, and the induction of MMP-2 by VEGF was a key process of NPC cell invasion.

Effects of Meloxicam on Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Angiopoietin-2 Expression in Colon Carcinoma Cell Line HT-29

To investigate the effect of meloxicam, a selected NSAIDs, on cell growth, expression of VEGF and angiopointin-2 （Ang-2） protein in HT-29 cell line, cultured HT-29 cells were treated with meloxicam of various concentrations for various lengths of time. The proliferation of HT-29 was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）, the cell cycle was determined by flow cytometer and the levels of VEGF and Ang-2 protein in supernatants were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA expressions of VEGF and Ang-2 in cultured HT-29 were determined by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Our results showed that treatment of meloxicam of different concentrations and for various lengths of time had a cytotoxicic effect on the cell proliferation of HT-29 cells in a concentration-dependant and time-dependant manner. Cell cycle analysis showed that the cells were mainly blocked in G0/G1 phase. The VEGF and Ang-2 protein levels in supernatants of the culture medium were decreased gradually in a concentration-dependent or time-dependent fashion. The mRNA expression of cox-2, VEGF and Ang-2 showed a gradual and concentration-dependent reduction. It is concluded that meloxicam can reduce the expression of VEGF and Ang-2 at the protein and mRNA level in colon carcinoma cell line.

Vascular endothelial growth factor B inhibits insulin secretion in MIN6 cells and reduces Ca2+ and cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels through PI3K/AKT pathway

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes(T2 D) is characterized by insufficient insulin secretion caused by defective pancreatic β-cell function or insulin resistance,resulting in an increase in blood glucose.However,the mechanism involved in this lack of insulin secretion is unclear.The level of vascular endothelial growth factor B(VEGF-B) is significantly increased in T2 D patients.The inactivation of VEGF-B could restore insulin sensitivity in db/db mice by reducing fatty acid accumulation.It is speculated that VEGF-B is related to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and is an important factor affecting β-cell secretion of insulin.As an in vitro model of normal pancreatic β-cells,the MIN6 cell line can be used to analyze the mechanism of insulin secretion and related biological effects.AIM To study the role of VEGF-B in the insulin secretion signaling pathway in MIN6 cells and explore the effect of VEGF-B on blood glucose regulation.METHODS The MIN6 mouse pancreatic islet β-cell line was used as the model system.By administering exogenous VEGF-B protein or knocking down VEGF-B expression in MIN6 cells,we examined the effects of VEGF-B on insulin secretion,Ca2+ and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) levels,and the insulin secretion signaling pathway.RESULTS Exogenous VEGF-B inhibited the secretion of insulin and simultaneously reduced the levels of Ca2+ and cAMP in MIN6 cells.Exogenous VEGF-B also reduced the expression of phospholipase C gamma 1(PLCγ1),phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3 K),serine/threonine kinase(AKT),and other proteins in the insulin secretion pathway.Upon knockdown of VEGF-B,MIN6 cells exhibited increased insulin secretion and Ca2+ and cAMP levels and upregulated expression of PLCγ1,PI3 K,AKT,and other proteins.CONCLUSION VEGF-B can regulate insulin secretion by modulating the levels of Ca2+ and cAMP.VEGF-B involvement in insulin secretion is related to the expression of PLCγ1,PI3 K,AKT,and other signaling proteins.These results provide theoretical support and an experimental basis for the study of VEGF-B in the pathogenesis of T2 D.

EXPRESSION OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE-2 AND VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR IN HUMAN GLIOMA AND THEIR RELATION TO THE INVASION OF THE TUMOR

Objective To study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in different grade human glioma. To investigate their relation to the pathological grade and invasion of the tumor. Methods The expression of MMP-2 and VEGF were determined by immunohistochemical technique in 48 cases of human glioma and 10 specimens of normal brain tissue. Results The expression levels of MMP-2 and VEGF in human glioma were positively related to tumor grades (P<0.01), and their expressions in the glioma of grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ were significantly different from those in the glioma of grade Ⅰ-Ⅱand normal brain tissue (P<0.01). The expression of MMP-2 was positively correlated to that of VEGF (P<0.01). Conclusion MMP-2 and VEGF were highly expression in human glioma and were positively related to the tumor grades. The synergic interaction of MMP-2 and VEGF promoted the angiogenesis and invasion of human glioma.

Correlation between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor c and C-erbB-2 in human breast cancer

Objective: We aimed to study the transcription level of VEGF-C in human breast cancer tissue, and explore the correlations with the expression of C-erbB-2. Methods: The expression of VEGF-C mRNA in 51 cases of human breast cancer was assessed by hybridization in situ. The expressions of C-erbB-2 was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: The positive rate of VEGF-C mRNA was 54.9% in 51 cases of breast cancer. The transcription level had correlation with tumor size and status of lymph nodes(P < 0.05). The expression of VEGF-C mRNA had a positive correlation with the expression of C-erbB-2(P < 0.05). Conclusion: The up-expression of VEGF-C has a significant correlation with the malignancy level and clinical stage of breast cancer. The combined detection of VEGF-C, C-erbB-2 may help to estimate the prognosis of patients with breast cancer and study on thetherapeutic implications.

恩格列净联合rhBNP治疗射血分数降低型心力衰竭的疗效及对患者心功能和血清FGF-21、sVEGFR-2水平的影响

目的探究恩格列净联合重组人脑利钠肽(rhBNP)治疗射血分数降低型心力衰竭(HFrEF)的疗效及对患者心功能和血清成纤维细胞生长因子-21(FGF-21)、可溶性血管内皮生长因子受体-2(sVEGFR-2)水平的影响。方法前瞻性选取2022年1月至2023年3月山东第一医科大学附属人民医院心内科收治的100例HFrEF患者为研究对象。按照随机数字表法将其分为对照组和观察组,每组各50例。对照组予以常规强心、利尿治疗及静脉泵入rhBNP,观察组在对照组基础上加用恩格列净。比较两组治疗前、治疗3个月后糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、6 min步行距离测试(6MWD)、N末端脑钠肽前体(NT-proBNP)、左室射血分数(LVEF)及血清FGF-21、sVEGFR-2水平,并记录两组主要心血管不良事件(MACE)发生情况。结果观察组临床总有效率为94.00%,高于对照组(80.00%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗3个月后,观察组HbA1c水平为(5.34±1.51)%,低于对照组[(6.03±1.65)%],差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组患者的总胆固醇、LDL-C水平比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗3个月后,观察组LVEF、6MWD水平分别为(38.52±7.24)%、(493.66±47.79)m,均高于对照组[(34.02±8.06)%、(455.92±50.25)m],NT-proBNP水平为(4386.75±875.89)pg/mL,低于对照组[(4326.04±843.66)pg/mL],差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗3个月后,观察组血清FGF-21水平为(54.93±12.51)pg/mL,低于对照组[(61.50±15.66)pg/mL],sVEGFR-2水平为(8.96±1.95)ng/mL,高于对照组[(8.14±1.67)ng/mL],差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组与对照组MACE总发生率分别为6.00%、16.00%,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论在rhBNP治疗HFrEF的基础上加用恩格列净可明显提高临床疗效,改善患者心功能,降低HbA1c、FGF-21水平,并提高sVEGFR-2水平可能是其增效的作用机制。

Emodin suppresses alkali burn-induced corneal inflammation and neovascularization by the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of emodin on alkali burn-induced corneal inflammation and neovascularization.METHODS:The ability of emodin to target vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2)was predicted by molecular docking.The effects of emodin on the invasion,migration,and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)were determined by cell counting kit-8,Transwell,and tube formation assays.Analysis of apoptosis was performed by flow cytometry.CD31 levels were examined by immunofluorescence.The abundance and phosphorylation state of VEGFR2,protein kinase B(Akt),signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3),and P38 were examined by immunoblot analysis.Corneal alkali burn was performed on 40 mice.Animals were divided randomly into two groups,and the alkali-burned eyes were then treated with drops of either 10μM emodin or phosphate buffered saline(PBS)four times a day.Slitlamp microscopy was used to evaluate inflammation and corneal neovascularization(CNV)in all eyes on Days 0,7,10,and 14.The mice were killed humanely 14 d after the alkali burn,and their corneas were removed and preserved at-80℃ until histological study or protein extraction.RESULTS:Molecular docking confirmed that emodin was able to target VEGFR2.The findings revealed that emodin decreased the invasion,migration,angiogenesis,and proliferation of HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner.In mice,emodin suppressed corneal inflammatory cell infiltration and inhibited the development of corneal neovascularization induced by alkali burn.Compared to those of the PBS-treated group,lower VEGFR2 expression and CD31 levels were found in the emodintreated group.Emodin dramatically decreased the expression of VEGFR2,p-VEGFR2,p-Akt,p-STAT3,and p-P38 in VEGF-treated HUVEC.CONCLUSION:This study provides a new avenue for evaluating the molecular mechanisms underlying corneal inflammation and neovascularization.Emodin might be a promising new therapeutic option for corneal alkali burns.

子痫前期患者胎盘中EG-VEGF及其PROKR1和PROKR2的表达情况

目的探讨子痫前期(PE)患者血清、胎盘中内分泌腺源性血管内皮生长因子(EG-VEGF)、前动力蛋白1(PROK1)、前动力蛋白2(PROK2)的表达情况及其临床意义。方法选取2019年1月至2022年1月该院收治的100例PE患者作为研究组,依据病情严重程度分为轻度组和重度组,各50例。同时,选取同期行剖宫产手术的50例健康孕妇作为对照组。比较两组临床指标[γ-谷氨酰转移酶(GGT)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、尿酸(UA)、收缩压、舒张压、血小板计数、新生儿体重、螺旋动脉管壁厚度、螺旋动脉管腔面积、丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、尿素氮(BUN)]。对比分析不同组、不同病情严重程度患者血清、胎盘组织中EG-VEGF、PROKR1、PROKR2 mRNA水平。采用免疫组化法检测两组胎盘组织中EG-VEGF、PROKR1、PROKR2阳性表达率,分析研究组血清各指标与临床特征、病情严重程度相关性,以及检测不同新生儿结局的孕妇血清中各指标水平。采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清各指标水平对PE的诊断价值。结果与对照组比较,研究组收缩压、舒张压、血小板计数、螺旋动脉管壁厚度升高,GGT、LDH、UA、ALT、AST、MDA水平升高,新生儿体重、螺旋动脉管腔面积降低,BUN、SOD水平降低,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与对照组比较,研究组血清、胎盘组织中EG-VEGF、PROKR1、PROKR2 mRNA水平降低(P<0.05),且其水平与新生儿体重、螺旋动脉管腔面积、BUN、SOD呈正相关,而与收缩压、舒张压、螺旋动脉管壁厚度、GGT、LDH、ALT、MDA、病情严重程度呈负相关(P<0.05)。研究组EG-VEGF、PROKR1、PROKR2阳性表达率低于对照组(P<0.05);研究组发生新生儿不良结局的孕妇血清中EG-VEGF、PROKR1、PROKR2水平低于对照组(P<0.05)。EG-VEGF、PROKR1、PROKR2联合诊断PE的曲线下面积大于单项诊断(P<0.05)。结论PE患者血清、胎盘中EG-VEGF、PROKR1、PROKR2呈低表达,且与临床特征、病情严重程度、新生儿不良结局存在相关性,联合检测其水平可提高PE的诊断效能。

经皮微波消融术前血清VEGF和Ang-2水平与Ⅰ期非小细胞肺癌患者预后的相关性

目的 探讨术前血清血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF)和血管生成素-2(angiopoietin-2,Ang-2)在经皮微波消融术(microwave ablation, MWA)治疗Ⅰ期非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC)患者预后评估中的价值。方法 收集2017年1月~2019年1月在郑州人民医院接受MWA治疗的Ⅰ期NSCLC患者106例(NSCLC组),同时选取50例健康者为对照组。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA)检测术前血清VEGF和Ang-2含量,采用Kaplan-Meier及COX回归分析评价VEGF和Ang-2与Ⅰ期NSCLC患者无复发生存期(recurrence-free survival, RFS)和总生存期(over survival, OS)的关系。结果 NSCLC组患者术前VEGF和Ang-2水平明显高于对照组(P<0.05);稳定和进展者术前VEGF和Ang-2水平分别明显高于完全缓解和部分缓解者(P<0.05);复发和死亡患者术前VEGF和Ang-2水平分别明显高于未复发和生存患者(P<0.05)。术前高VEGF和Ang-2水平患者的RFS和OS明显低于低VEGF和Ang-2水平患者(P<0.05),且两者均是RFS和OS的独立影响因素。结论 MWA术前血清VEGF和Ang-2水平与Ⅰ期NSCLC患者预后密切相关,具有一定的临床应用价值。