Imbalance of VEGF family serum levels and receptors in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

The aim of this study was to analyze the serum levels and prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, -C, and -D, and their receptors, VEGFR-1 and -2 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The serum levels of VEGF family members were measured in 80 control subjects and 200 patients with inflammatory bowel disease using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These measurements were evaluated with regard to the levels of inflammatory markers, such as C reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) and the clinical characteristics of patients, so that potential correlations could be recorded. A correlation between VEGF and their receptors serum levels is present in IBD patients. These new findings open the question on the potential role of VEGF and their receptors in IBD (Tab. 2, Ref. 9).