Expression and clinical significance of serum VEGF in patients with white matter ischemic lesions

ObjectiveTo explore the expression level of serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in patients with white matter ischemic lesions(WMIL) and its relationship with WMIL.

MethodsPatients with WMIL confirmed by craniocerebral magnetic resonance were selected as the research subjects, and the degree of white matter lesions was evaluated according to the Fazekas rating scale.Those with normal craniocerebral magnetic resonance matched with age and sex during the same period were selected as the control group.Serum VEGF concentrations were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The general clinical data and VEGF protein levels were compared between the two groups.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between serum VEGF levels and the degree of white matter lesions, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of WMIL.

ResultsA total of 115 patients in the WMIL group and 69 in the control group were included in this study.The proportion of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and the level of VEGF in the WMIL group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P < 0.01).There was a significant positive correlation between serum VEGF level and Fazekas score in the WMIL group(r=0.871, P < 0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension, diabetes mellitus and elevated VEGF levels were independent risk factors for WMIL(OR=5.350, 3.010, 19.382, P < 0.01).

ConclusionsThe expression level of serum VEGF in WMIL patients is significantly increased.The increased level of serum VEGF may be an independent risk factor for WMIL and is positively correlated with the severity for WMIL.It may be used as one of the effective biological indicators of chronic white matter damage.