Possible role of serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and endostatin in rheumatoid arthritis angiogenesis imbalance

الملخص EN

Objective : to measure serum levels of the main antigenic inducer marker (VEGF) and the main antigenic inhibitor marker (end statin) in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Also, to study their correlation to clinical and laboratory variables of the disease in an attempt to provide more insight regarding their possible role in the angiogenesis imbalance and pathogenesis of RA.

Methodology : Twenty RA patients and fifteen age and sex matched healthy persons served as a control group underwent full history taking, thorough clinical examination, and routine rheumatologic profile.

Measurement of serum VEGF and end statin levels were done using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in rheumatoid arthritis patients and compared with controls.

Comparison between patients with or without systemic involvement regarding serum level of VEGF was done.

Correlations between serum levels of VEGF and signs of disease activity were also done.

Results : A highly significant increase in the mean values of serum VEGF was found in RA patients compared to control subjects (t = 11.83, p < 0.00l), while there was no statistically significant difference between both RA and control groups regarding mean values of end statin (t = 0.06, p > 0.05).

In addition a highly significant increase in the mean values of serum VEGF was found in RA Patients with extra-articular manifestation (EAM) compared to Patients without EAM (t = 2.98, p < 0.0l).

Serum VEGF was positively correlated with ESR, DAS, and CRP (r = 8.48, p < 0.01; r = 0.542, p< 0.5; and r = 0.49, p < 0.5) respectively.

Conclusion : we found an imbalance between the production of antigenic growth factors and antigenic inhibitors in RA.

This may play an important role in the angiogenesis imbalance and pathogenesis of RA.

In addition we conclude that VEGF level is related to disease activity and extra-articular manifestation of RA, so it can be considered a good indicator for evaluation of disease activity, systemic organ involvement and planning treatment strategies.