Possible association between circulating vascular endothelial growth factor and oxidative stress markers in...

Vascular endothelial growth factor is involved in the process of atherogenesis. Increased oxidative stress has been reported in hemodialyzed patients, but its influence on vascular endothelial growth factor levels remains unknown.

The levels of two oxidative stress markers, Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and autoantibodies against oxidized LDL, and the level of vascular endothelial growth factor were measured in pre-dialysis samples of hemodialyzed patients with and without cardiovascular disease and in healthy controls.

Vascular endothelial growth factor levels were significantly increased in both hemodialysis groups compared with controls (all p < 0.001), more so in patients with than those without cardiovascular disease (p < 0.05). Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase levels were elevated in both patient groups (all p < 0.001), whereas the levels of autoantibodies against oxidized LDL were increased only in the patients with cardiovascular disease (p < 0.05) compared with the controls. Vascular endothelial growth factor level positively correlated with Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase level (p < 0.01) and with the levels of autoantibodies against oxidized LDL (p < 0.05) in the whole hemodialysis group.

Our data indicate for the first time a relationship between oxidative stress and VEGF levels in hemodialyzed patients, particularly in those with cardiovascular disease. This association may represent one of the mechanisms involved in the progression of atherosclerosis in this population.