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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
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Demonstrating a Linear Relationship Between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Luteinizing Hormone in Kidney Cortex Extracts
Published on: January 22, 2020
Post-collection, pre-measurement variables affecting VEGF levels in urine biospecimens
Robert M Hayward1, Melissa J Kirk, Mary Sproull
1Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892-1002, USA.
Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
|March 28, 2008
Summary
Urinary vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels are crucial for cancer research. Freezing urine samples within 4 hours and using supernatant, not sediment, ensures accurate VEGF measurements.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Angiogenesis, driven by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is vital for tumor growth and metastasis.
- Urinary VEGF levels show potential as clinical predictors of tumor behavior.
- Factors influencing urinary VEGF stability in biospecimens require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors affecting urinary vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations.
- To establish optimal pre-analytical conditions for measuring urinary VEGF.
Main Methods:
- Urine samples from cancer patients and healthy volunteers were analyzed.
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations were measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay.
- Effects of time to freeze, freeze-thaw cycles, tube type, and sediment presence were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Time to freeze (up to 4 hours), 1-5 freeze-thaw cycles, and polypropylene tube types did not significantly impact urinary VEGF levels.
- Urinary sediment showed higher VEGF levels than supernatant in healthy volunteers.
- The cause of increased VEGF in sediment requires further study.
Conclusions:
- Centrifuge urine, freeze supernatant in polypropylene tubes within 4 hours for accurate VEGF measurement.
- Utilize samples within five freeze-thaw cycles for reliable urinary VEGF analysis.
