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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
A Simple Bioassay for the Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Published on: March 15, 2016
Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is elevated in GH deficient adults
Robert D Murray1, Harpal S Randeva, Krzysztof C Lewandowski
1Department of Endocrinology, Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK. Robert.Murray@leedsth.nhs.uk
Insights
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adults is linked to higher vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, which correlate with matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9). These factors may explain increased vascular risks in GHD patients.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) exhibit increased vascular risk markers, morbidity, and mortality.
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in vascular disease pathogenesis.
- While GH replacement reduces VEGF in GHD adults, elevated levels in untreated individuals remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum levels of VEGF, MMP2, and MMP9 in adults with GHD and partial GHD (GHI).
- To determine if VEGF and MMP levels are elevated in untreated GHD and GHI patients compared to controls.
- To explore correlations between VEGF, MMPs, and other vascular risk factors.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional case-control study design.
- Measured fasting serum VEGF, MMP2, and MMP9 in 27 GHD patients, 24 GHI patients, and 25 healthy controls.
- Utilized multiple regression analysis to identify predictors of VEGF levels.
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated serum VEGF levels were observed in GHD adults compared to controls (P=0.04).
- No significant elevation in MMP2 or MMP9 levels was found in GHD or GHI patients.
- Serum VEGF levels positively correlated with LDL-cholesterol and MMP9, and negatively with IGF-I. VEGF was independently predicted by LDL-C (P=0.003).
Conclusions:
- Adults with GHD demonstrate elevated serum VEGF levels, which correlate with MMP9.
- VEGF and MMP9 may contribute to the pathophysiology of increased vascular morbidity and mortality in GHD.
- Elevated VEGF, linked to LDL-C, highlights a potential mechanism for vascular risk in GHD.
Objective:
GHD adults exhibit a number of adverse surrogate markers of vascular risk culminating in excess vascular morbidity and mortality. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of vascular morbidities. Furthermore, serum levels decrease following GH replacement in GHD adults, though it remains unclear if levels are significantly elevated in untreated individuals.
Design:
A cross-sectional case-control study.
Methods:
We measured fasting serum VEGF, MMP2, and MMP9 in 27 patients with GHD, 24 with partial GHD (GHI), and 25 sex- and age-matched controls.
Results:
GHD (483±334 vs 326±180ng/l, P=0.04), but not GHI (354±192 vs 326±180ng/l, P=n/s) adults had significantly elevated VEGF levels compared with controls. Neither MMP2, nor MMP9 levels were elevated in the patient groups. Serum VEGF levels correlated positively with LDL-cholesterol (R=0.34, P=0.004) and serum MMP9 values (R=0.36, P=0.002), and negatively with IGF-I values, however, no correlation was observed with MMP2. Multiple regression analysis with VEGF levels as the dependent variable, and age, gender, % fat mass, LDL-C, insulin and IGF-I as independent variables revealed VEGF levels to be dependent on LDL-C alone (P=0.003, R=0.36).
Conclusion:
GHD adults have elevated VEGF levels, which correlate with MMP9 levels. Both VEGF and MMP9 are associated with vascular pathologies and may provide insight in to the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the increased vascular morbidity and mortality observed in GHD adults.
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