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Growth Factor Levels (growth + factor_level)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	93%

Kinds of Growth Factor Levels

endothelial growth factor level

vascular endothelial growth factor level

Selected Abstracts

High serum hepatocyte growth factor level in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2003
Liang-Tsai Hsiao
Abstract: Higher pretreatment serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels were observed in patients with multiple myeloma and Hodgkin's disease, but not in those with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). We examined patients' serum levels at diagnosis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and histological expression of HGF in pathological specimens of lymphoma, in relation to clinical features. The subjects were 77 NHL patients and 40 healthy controls. The serum levels of HGF in NHL patients at diagnosis were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (median 1019 vs. 689 pg/mL, P < 0.001). At diagnosis, patients with more than two sites of extranodal involvement (P = 0.001), higher scores of international prognostic index (P = 0.015), and advanced Ann Arbor stage (P = 0.023) had a higher level of serum HGF. Although the association of pretreatment serum HGF level and survival was not significant, a correlation of serial change of serum HGF levels with treatment response was found in limited cases. Furthermore, HGF expression of lymphoma tissues was shown in 18 of 24 (75%) different NHL subtypes, including most of the diffuse large B cell lymphoma (12 of 15, 80%). In conclusion, our study showed higher pretreatment serum HGF levels in NHL patients, which was related to clinical features; and the serial change of HGF seemed to parallel the treatment response. The pathogenic role of HGF in NHL patients was further highlighted by a modest expression of HGF in most of the diffuse large B cell lymphoma. [source]

Changes of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor level after uterine artery embolisation for leiomyomata

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 10 2005
Takashi Takeda
Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) has become an alternative treatment for symptomatic uterine leiomyomata. Most reports suggest that it is well tolerated and effective, although there have been no reports of studies of biological parameters after UAE. In this study, we analysed the plasma level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the pulsatility index (PI) of uterine arteries before and after UAE. The level of plasma VEGF increased significantly after UAE (on day 1 and day 3) and decreased on day 7, and then increased again on day 30. The level of VEGF reached a peak value within three days after UAE. A significant inverse correlation was found between uterine artery PI and the level of VEGF on day 30, suggesting that VEGF may have negative effect on the efficacy of treatment of uterine leiomyomata by UAE. [source]

Urinary nerve growth factor level could be a biomarker in the differential diagnosis of mixed urinary incontinence in women

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 10 2008
Hsin-Tzu Liu
OBJECTIVES To measure urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and overactive bladder symptoms (OAB) and to assess whether urinary NGF levels can be a biomarker of detrusor overactivity (DO) in women with mixed urinary incontinence. PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS Urinary NGF levels were measured in 38 women with urodynamic SUI (USI) with OAB, in 26 with urodynamic DO but no SUI, in 21 with persistent USI after anti-incontinence surgery, in 15 with de novo DO, and in 31 normal control subjects. All participants had a video-urodynamic study for the differential diagnosis of the underlying causes of UI. Urinary NGF levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and were compared among all subgroups, and corrected using urinary creatinine (Cr) levels. RESULTS The mean (sem) urinary NGF/Cr levels were low both in controls, at 0.06 (0.004) and in women with pure USI, at 0.056 (0.037) (P = 0.108). The NGF/Cr levels were significantly higher in women with mixed USI and DO, at 1.00 (0.244), than in controls (P < 0.001) and those with pure USI (P = 0.006), but were similar to the levels in women with pure DO, at 0.58 (0.17) (P = 0.058). The NGF/Cr levels were undetectable in women with persistent USI but were significantly higher in those with de novo DO, at 2.39 (0.90), after anti-incontinence surgery than in controls and those with USI. A urinary NGF/Cr level of >0.05 was found in 9% of women with USI, 77% with DO, 81% with mixed USI and DO, and 80% with de novo DO. CONCLUSION The urinary NGF level could be a potential biomarker of DO in women with mixed UI. [source]

Prognostic value of interleukin-6, plasma viscosity, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, tissue factor and vascular endothelial growth factor levels in congestive heart failure

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 11 2003
B. S. P. Chin
Abstract Background, Congestive heart failure (CHF) carries a poor prognosis with a high mortality rate, frequent hospitalizations and increased risk of thrombotic complications such as stroke. Cytokines may contribute to the progression and prothrombotic state of CHF, including the pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the pro-angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), both of which are raised in CHF. The procoagulant properties of both cytokines may be mediated via tissue factor (TF), a potent clotting activator. We hypothesized that plasma levels of these markers, as well as levels of plasma viscosity, fibrinogen, soluble P-selectin and von Willebrand factor (markers of abnormal rheology, clotting, platelet activation, and endothelial damage, respectively) will be useful in predicting morbidity and mortality in chronic stable CHF. Methods and results, One hundred and twenty consecutive out-patients with chronic stable CHF (92 males; mean [SD] age 64 [11] years, mean [SD] left ventricular ejection fraction of 29 [6]%) were recruited and followed for 2 years during which 42 patients reached a clinical end-point of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations, including stroke and myocardial infarction. Plasma IL-6 (P = 0·003) and TF (P = 0·013) levels, but not other research indices, were higher in those who suffered events compared with those without events. Predictors of end-points were high (, median) TF (P = 0·011), and IL-6 (P = 0·023) levels, as well as the lowest quartile of a left ventricular ejection fraction (P = 0·007). A strong correlation was present between TF and IL-6 levels (r = 0·59; P < 0·0001) and with VEGF levels (r = 0·43; P < 0·0001). Conclusion, IL-6 and TF are predictors of poor prognosis in chronic CHF, raising the hypothesis that IL-6 may contribute to the progression and thrombotic complications of CHF via its actions on TF expression. Although VEGF did not independently predict outcome in chronic CHF, the possibility arises that it may act with IL-6 to induce TF expression. [source]

Short-term dietary administration of celecoxib enhances the efficacy of tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cell vaccines in treating murine breast cancer

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 9 2006
Tobias Hahn
Abstract Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of prostaglandins. It is over-expressed in multiple cancers and has been associated with diminished tumor immunity. Dendritic cells (DCs) are considered candidates for cancer immunotherapy due to their ability to process and present antigens to T cells and stimulate immune responses. However, DC-based vaccines have exhibited minimal effectiveness against established tumors. In this study, we evaluated the effect of short-term administration of the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib on the efficacy of DC-based vaccines in preventing and treating established 4T1 murine mammary tumors. We show that dietary celecoxib alone significantly suppresses the growth of primary tumors and the incidence of lung metastases in the prophylactic setting but is less effective against pre-established tumors. However, we demonstrate that celecoxib administered after primary tumor establishment synergizes with tumor lysate-pulsed DC and the adjuvant, GM-CSF, to improve the antitumor immune response by suppressing primary tumor growth and markedly reducing the occurrence of lung metastases. This triple combination therapy elicits a tumor-specific immune response evidenced by elevated IFN-, and IL-4 secretion by CD4+ T cells and results in increased infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to the tumor site. In addition, dietary celecoxib inhibits angiogenesis evidenced by decreased vascular proliferation within the tumor and serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels. These studies suggest that short-term celecoxib therapy in combination with DC vaccines may be safely used for treating metastatic breast cancer. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Growth factors and cytokines in autologous platelet concentrate and their correlation to periodontal regeneration outcomes

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 11 2006
M. Christgau
Abstract: Aim: To determine the concentration of naturally available biologic mediators in autologous platelet concentrates and their correlation with periodontal regeneration outcomes. Material and methods: In 25 patients with two intra-bony defects each, an autologous platelet concentrate (APC) was prepared by a laboratory thrombocyte apheresis technique pre-operatively. Both defects were treated using a bioresorbable guided tissue regeneration-membrane in combination with tricalciumphosphate (TCP). In the test defect, APC was additionally applied. In the APC, platelets were counted and the levels of growth factors and cytokines were determined by ELISA. Correlations between the platelet counts or the growth factor/cytokine levels and the potential clinical and radiographic regeneration outcomes due to APC were calculated after 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: The APC contained 2.2 × 106 platelets/,l, which was 7.9 times more than in the venous blood. Transforming growth factor- ,1 (TGF- ,1), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB), PDGF-BB, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were found in the APC, whereas interleukin-1, (IL-1,), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor , (TNF,), IL-4, and IL-10 were not detectable. The regression analysis showed a weak correlation between the platelet counts or the growth factor levels and the clinical and radiographic regeneration outcomes (r20.4). Conclusion: Autologous platelet concentrate contains relatively high concentrations of PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, TGF- ,1, and IGF-I, but their potential influence on periodontal regeneration remains unclear. [source]

Circulating and synovial levels of IGF-I, cytokines, physical function and anthropometry differ in women awaiting total knee arthroplasty when compared to men

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 2 2005
Sonia M. C. Pagura
Abstract Purpose: Determine if gender differences in osteoarthritis relate to cytokine and growth factor levels. Methods: Cross-sectional comparison of serum and synovial concentrations of cytokines (IL-1,,, TNF-,, IL-6), growth factors (IGF-I, TGF-,, IRAP), physical performance and perceived function in total knee arthroplasty candidates (TKAC) (n = 17) and healthy controls (n = 21) was done. Results: Serum IGF-I values were reduced in female (TKAC 137.6 ± 7.2; Controls 160.2 ± 26.2) but not male TKAC (TKAC 182.6 ± 18.4; Controls 184.0 ± 18.4) (p < 0.05). Serum and synovial levels of cytokines and growth factors did not differ significantly by group or gender. Physical performance testing (SPW, TUG) revealed significant group and gender differences (p = 0.001) with women demonstrating greater functional impairment. Discussion: A systemic, not local component to OA pathophysiology may exist for female TKAC. Male TKAC were less impaired, and their IGF-I levels differ little from Control values. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source]

Ethanol Alters Production and Secretion of Estrogen-Regulated Growth Factors That Control Prolactin-Secreting Tumors in the Pituitary

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 12 2007
Dipak K. Sarkar
Background:, Chronic administration of ethanol increases plasma prolactin levels and enhances estradiol's mitogenic action on the lactotropes of the pituitary gland. The present study was conducted to determine whether ethanol's lactotropic cell-proliferating action, like estradiol's, is associated with alteration in the production of 3 peptides that regulate cell growth: transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-,1), TGF-,3 and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Methods:, Using ovariectomized Fischer-344 female rats, we determined ethanol's and estradiol's actions on lactotropic cell proliferation and growth-regulatory peptide production and release in the pituitary gland during tumorigenesis. Results:, Ethanol increased basal and estradiol-enhanced mitosis of lactotropes in the pituitary glands of ovariectomized rats. The level of growth-inhibitory TGF-,1 was reduced in the pituitary following ethanol and/or estradiol treatment for 2 and 4 weeks. In contrast, ethanol and estradiol alone as well as together increased levels of growth-stimulatory TGF-,3 and bFGF in the pituitary at 2 and 4 weeks. In primary cultures of pituitary cells, both ethanol and estradiol reduced TGF-,1 release and increased TGF-,3 and bFGF release at 24 hours. Ethanol's effect on growth factor levels in the pituitary or growth factor release from the pituitary cells was less than that of estradiol. When ethanol and estradiol were applied together, their individual effects on these growth factors were amplified. Conclusions:, These results confirm estradiol's modulation of pituitary growth factor production and release, and provide evidence that ethanol, like estradiol, alters the production and secretion of growth-regulatory peptides controlling lactotropic cell proliferation. [source]

Osteopontin is upregulated in malignant and inflammatory pleural effusions

RESPIROLOGY, Issue 5 2009
Charalampos MOSCHOS
ABSTRACT Background and objective: Osteopontin (OPN) is an important mediator of inflammation and cancer progression. In the present study, we asked whether pleural fluid (PF) and serum OPN concentrations differed between patients with pleural effusions of different aetiologies, and whether assessment of OPN levels was useful for diagnostic purposes. Methods: One hundred and nine consecutive patients with pleural effusions of different aetiologies were recruited prospectively during daily clinics. OPN levels were measured by ELISA. Results: PF OPN levels were 10-fold higher in exudates than in transudates and were significantly correlated with markers of pleural inflammation and vascular hyper-permeability, such as PF/serum LDH or protein ratios, PF protein and PF vascular endothelial growth factor levels. Patients with malignant pleural effusions had higher PF and lower serum OPN concentrations than those with benign disease. The diagnostic accuracies of PF and PF/serum OPN for malignancy were 71.5% (95% CI: 64,80) and 70.6% (95% CI: 62,80), respectively. Conclusions: OPN levels were elevated in exudative pleural effusions, as compared with the levels in blood or transudative pleural effusions. While PF and PF/serum OPN were higher in patients with malignancies, the diagnostic accuracy of the tests was not sufficient to permit routine use in clinical practice. [source]

Decrease of urinary nerve growth factor levels after antimuscarinic therapy in patients with overactive bladder

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 12 2009
Hsin-Tzu Liu
OBJECTIVE To determine urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) and after treatment with antimuscarinics. PATIENTS AND METHODS Urinary NGF levels were measured in 38 ,normal' controls and 70 patients with OAB. Patients were treated with tolterodine 4 mg once daily. Urinary NGF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and normalized by urinary creatinine levels (NGF/Cr). The urinary NGF/Cr levels and urgency severity scale (USS) were compared at baseline, 1, 2 and 3 months after antimuscarinics, and 1 month after discontinuing treatment. RESULTS The urinary NGF/Cr level was very low in normal controls with a mean (sem) of 0.005 (0.003). Patients with OAB had significantly higher baseline urinary NGF/Cr levels than the controls. Urinary NGF/Cr levels were significantly reduced at 3 months in 50 responders (1.10 [0.26] before vs 0.41 [0.09] after, P = 0.008) but not in the 20 non-responders (1.38 [0.54] before vs 1.30 [0.46] after, P = 0.879). However, after discontinuing antimuscarinic treatment for 1 month, the urinary NGF/Cr level was elevated in 23 responders at 0.83 (0.33) and in five non-responders at 2.72 (1.41). The USS scores significantly changed with the change of urinary NGF/Cr levels in responders at different time points. The voided volume increased but maximum urinary flow rate and postvoid residual volume did not increase in responders after 3-months of antimuscarinic treatment. The limitation of this study was the lack of a control arm for comparison. CONCLUSIONS Changes in the urinary NGF levels were associated with the changes of the USS scores after antimuscarinic treatment and discontinued medication. The urinary NGF level could be a potential biomarker for evaluating therapeutic results of antimuscarinics therapy. [source]

A non-randomised dose-escalating phase II study of thalidomide for the treatment of patients with low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes: the Thal-SMD-2000 trial of the Groupe Français des Myélodysplasies

BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2005
Didier Bouscary
Summary Patients (n = 47) with low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome were treated with thalidomide [200 mg/d, increased by 200 mg/d/4 weeks up to week 16]. Responses were evaluated according to the International Working Group criteria at week 16 for 39 patients who received at least 8 weeks of treatment. Twenty-three (59%) patients showed haematological improvement (HI): four major erythroid response (HI-EM), 15 minor erythroid response, six major neutrophil response, two major platelet response. Side effects caused 22/39 to stop thalidomide before week 16. Nine of 23 responders continued thalidomide after week 16 [19% of trial patients] with sustained response in eight of nine. Six reached week 56, including the four HI-EM patients [13% of trial patients]. Nineteen of 36 red blood cell transfusion-dependent patients (53%) showed erythroid response, but only four became transfusion-independent. Among the 23 responders, the median duration of response was 260 d (range 30,650). Responses were sustained in all patients except one, and were observed between week 4 and week 8 in 85% of patients, at doses ranging from 200 to 400 mg. Only two patients responded at 600 mg/d and none at 800 mg/d. No clinical characteristics of responding versus non-responding patients were identified. The erythroid response rate was identical in all cytogenetic subgroups, including 5q31.1 deletions. Pretreatment vascular endothelial growth factor levels were lower in responders compared with non-responders (P = 0·004). Microvessel density (MVD) increased and apoptosis decreased in four of six and in all six responders studied respectively whereas MVD and apoptosis were unchanged in three non-responders. [source]

Donor age and gestational age influence on growth factor levels in human amniotic membrane

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 6 2010
Maria J. López-Valladares
Acta Ophthalmol. 2010: 88: e211,e216 Abstract. Purpose:, Amniotic membrane (AM) is used as a biomaterial for reconstruction in ocular surface surgery. This study investigated the influence of interdonor variations and processing and preservation procedures applied to the AM on growth factors and protein levels. Methods:, Samples of human AM from thirteen donors were analysed. Collected donor data were age, parity and gestational age. Total protein amount was measured in extracts of intact AM nonpreserved, lyophilized and cryopreserved, at ,80°C and in liquid nitrogen. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assay growth factors protein levels for epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), transforming growth factor beta1 (TFG-,1) and nerve growth factor (NGF). Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to study the influence of the preservation method applied and interdonor variations on growth factors levels. Results:, We detected important variations in growth factors and protein concentrations between samples from different donors. Total protein amount, bFGF, HGF, KGF and TGF-,1 showed lower levels in samples from donors with higher gestational ages and donor ages, for all groups. Conclusion:, The variability in the biochemical composition of AM from different donors is considerable, and it is related with donor factors as donor age and gestational age. As AM biochemical composition has a role in its therapeutic effects, these variations could affect the clinical results of amniotic membrane transplantation and must be taken into account in donor selection processes. [source]

Effects of lyophilization on human amniotic membrane

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 4 2009
M. Teresa Rodríguez-Ares
Abstract. Purpose:, This study aimed to evaluate the effects of lyophilization and cryopreservation on human amniotic membrane (HAM) in terms of histological characteristics and growth factor levels. Methods:, Non-preserved, lyophilized and cryopreserved HAM samples from 13 placentas were investigated. The morphological characteristics of HAM were evaluated using light and electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical methods were also applied to assess the distribution of collagen IV in the basement membrane. Total protein amounts were measured in extracts of intact amniotic membrane from non-preserved, lyophilized and cryopreserved samples. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assay growth factor protein levels for epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor basic, hepatocyte growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor, transforming growth factor-,1 and nerve growth factor. Results:, Histological examination of lyophilized and cryopreserved human amniotic membrane showed similar results. Immunohistochemistry showed presence of collagen IV throughout the basement membrane, both in cryopreserved and lyophilized samples. Total protein amount was higher in cryopreserved samples, without statistical significance. Growth factors ELISA did not show statistically significant differences except for fibroblast growth factor basic, with higher levels in cryopreserved amniotic membrane. Conclusions:, Lyophilization maintains the histological structure of HAM, but seems to cause greater reductions in total protein amount and growth factor concentration than cryopreservation. [source]