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Updated: Nov 28, 2025
Non-invasive Assessment of Microvascular and Endothelial Function
Published on: January 29, 2013
Evaluation of serum platelet-derived growth factor receptor-ß and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in
Gamze Aslan1, Veli Polat2, Evin Bozcali1
1Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Koç University Hospital; İstanbul-Turkey.
Objective:
Microvascular angina (MVA) is a coronary microcirculation disease. Research on microcirculatory dysfunction has revealed several biomarkers involved in the etiopathogenesis of MVA. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFR-β) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are 2 biomarkers associated with microcirculation, particularly pericytes function. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PDGFR-β and BDNF in MVA.
Methods:
Ninety-one patients (median age, 56 y; age range, 40-79 y; 36 men) with MVA and 61 control group subjects (median age, 52 y; age range, 38-76 y; 29 men) were included in the study. Serum concentrations of PDGFR-β and BDNF were measured with commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.
Results:
PDGFR-β [2.82 ng/ml; interquartile range (IQR), 0.57-7.79 ng/ml vs. 2.27 ng/ml; IQR, 0.41-7.16 ng/ml; p<0.0005] and BDNF (2.41 ng/ml; IQR, 0.97-7.97 ng/ml vs. 1.92 ng/ml; IQR, 1.07-6.67 ng/ml; p=0.023) concentrations were significantly higher in patients with MVA compared with the controls. PDGFR-β correlated positively with age (r=0.26, p=0.001), low-density lipoprotein (r=0.18; p=0.02), and BDNF (r=0.47; p<0.001), and BDNF showed a significant positive correlation with age (r=0.20; p=0.01). In binary logistic regression analysis, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, uric acid, and PDGFR-β values were found to be independent predictors of MVA.
Conclusion:
MVA is associated with higher PDGFR-β and BDNF levels. This association may indicate an abnormality in microvascular function. Future studies are required to determine the role of these biomarkers in the pathogenesis of MVA.
Insights
Microvascular angina (MVA) is linked to elevated levels of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor beta (PDGFR-β) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). These biomarkers may indicate impaired microvascular function in MVA patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Microvascular angina (MVA) is a condition affecting the heart's small blood vessels.
- Dysfunction in microcirculation is central to MVA pathogenesis.
- Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR-β) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are implicated in microcirculation and pericyte function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between PDGFR-β, BDNF, and microvascular angina (MVA).
- To explore the role of these biomarkers in the etiopathogenesis of MVA.
Main Methods:
- Serum concentrations of PDGFR-β and BDNF were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.
- The study included 91 MVA patients and 61 control subjects.
- Statistical analyses, including correlation and binary logistic regression, were performed.
Main Results:
- Patients with MVA exhibited significantly higher serum concentrations of PDGFR-β and BDNF compared to controls.
- PDGFR-β levels positively correlated with age, low-density lipoprotein, and BDNF.
- PDGFR-β, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and uric acid were identified as independent predictors of MVA.
Conclusions:
- MVA is associated with elevated levels of PDGFR-β and BDNF.
- These findings suggest potential abnormalities in microvascular function in MVA.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise role of PDGFR-β and BDNF in MVA pathogenesis.
