Clinical efficacy of propranolol in the treatment of hemangioma and changes in serum VEGF, bFGF and MMP-9.

The aim of this study was to observe the clinical efficacy and safety of propranolol in the treatment of hemangioma, and to reveal its possible mechanism. A total of 129 cases of proliferative hemangioma were divided into two groups: i) Treatment (n=97), in which the patients received oral propranolol therapy and ii) observation (n=32), in which the patients underwent clinical observation. The changes in the hemangiomas were noted and compared between the two groups. In addition, the heart rate, blood glucose levels, liver, kidney and thyroid function of the patients in the treatment group were monitored prior to and following treatment; the ELISA method was used for the measurement of the patients' serum concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) at the same time-points. A significant difference in curative effect was found between the treatment and observation group. The concentration of free thyroxine and sensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone and the heart rate of the treatment group exhibited significant changes prior to and following medication, but no statistical significance was found in the changes in blood glucose, liver and kidney function and free triiodothyronine concentration. Furthermore, the serum concentrations of VEGF, bFGF and MMP-9 in the treatment group 8 weeks after medication were decreased significantly compared with those before treatment. In conclusion, oral propranolol has a good curative effect in the treatment of proliferative hemangioma, with few side effects and a high level of safety. The mechanism underlying the effects of propranolol may be associated with the downregulation of VEGF, bFGF and MMP-9 expression.