Serum VEGF and bFGF in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases

The role of angiogenesis in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) remains controversial. We investigated the role of serum concentration levels of VEGF and bFGF in IBD patients and assessed their potential association to disease activity.

Blood samples were obtained from 40 IBD patients with moderate to severe attack of the disease and 40 healthy controls. VEGF and bFGF serum levels were assessed. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured as markers of disease activity and correlated to VEGF and bFGF.

The demographic characteristics of both patients and controls were homogenous, in regard of age, sex, smoke and concomitant diseases. VEGF serum levels were significantly higher in IBD patients compared to controls (1158.5±845.4 pg/ml vs 464.6±283.1 pg/ml, p<0.001). Serum concentration levels of bFGF did not differ between groups. Linear regression analysis showed no direct association between VEGF or bFGF and CRP or ESR.

VEGF, but not bFGF, may have a prominent role in patients with IBD, without though direct association to disease activity.

bFGF, Inflammatory bowel disease, VEGF.