Minimally invasive colon resection is associated with a transient increase in plasma sVEGFR1 levels and a decrease in...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Vascular Biology
• Surgical Research

Background:

• Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is elevated post-minimally invasive colorectal resection (MICR).
• VEGF promotes angiogenesis by binding to VEGF receptors (VEGFR1, VEGFR2).
• Soluble VEGFR1 (sVEGFR1) and soluble VEGFR2 (sVEGFR2) sequester VEGF, reducing its proangiogenic effect.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess changes in plasma sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2 levels following MICR for benign conditions.
• To understand the impact of surgical procedures on VEGF-binding soluble receptors.

Main Methods:

• Blood samples collected from 39 patients preoperatively and on postoperative days (POD) 1, 3, and between POD 7-30.
• Plasma sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2 levels measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
• Paired-samples t-test used for statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• Preoperatively, sVEGFR2 levels were significantly higher than sVEGFR1 levels.
• On POD 1 and 3, sVEGFR2 levels significantly decreased, while sVEGFR1 levels significantly increased compared to preop.
• No significant differences in sVEGFR1 or sVEGFR2 levels were observed between POD 7-13 and POD 14-30 compared to preop.

Conclusions:

• Early after MICR, sVEGFR2 levels decrease and sVEGFR1 levels increase.
• The dominant decrease in sVEGFR2 results in less VEGF bound to soluble receptors.
• This shift leads to an increase in free plasma VEGF post-MICR.