Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2013 | Research article
Clinical significance of plasma VEGF value in ischemic stroke - research for biomarkers in ischemic stroke (REBIOS) study
Authors:
Ryu Matsuo, Tetsuro Ago, Masahiro Kamouchi, Junya Kuroda, Takahiro Kuwashiro, Jun Hata, Hiroshi Sugimori, Kenji Fukuda, Seiji Gotoh, Noriko Makihara, Masayo Fukuhara, Hideto Awano, Tetsu Isomura, Kazuo Suzuki, Masahiro Yasaka, Yasushi Okada, Yutaka Kiyohara, Takanari Kitazono
Published in:
BMC Neurology
|
Issue 1/2013
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Abstract
Background
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a well-known molecule mediating neuronal survival and angiogenesis. However, its clinical significance in ischemic stroke is still controversial. The goal of this study was to examine the temporal profile of plasma VEGF value and its clinical significance in ischemic stroke with taking its subtypes into consideration.
Methods
We prospectively enrolled 171 patients with ischemic stroke and age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. The stroke patients were divided into 4 subtypes: atherothrombotic infarction (ATBI, n = 34), lacunar infarction (LAC, n = 45), cardioembolic infarction (CE, n = 49) and other types (OT, n = 43). Plasma VEGF values were measured as a part of multiplex immunoassay (Human MAP v1.6) and we obtained clinical information at 5 time points (days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 90) after the stroke onset.
Results
Plasma VEGF values were significantly higher in all stroke subtypes but OT than those in the controls throughout 90 days after stroke onset. There was no significant difference in the average VEGF values among ATBI, LAC, and CE. VEGF values were positively associated with neurological severity in CE patients, while a negative association was found in ATBI patients. After adjustment for possible confounding factors, plasma VEGF value was an independent predictor of poor functional outcome in CE patients.
Conclusions
Although plasma VEGF value increases immediately after the stroke onset equally in all stroke subtypes, its significance in functional outcome may be different among the stroke subtypes.