Vasc Spec Int.  2021 Sep;37(3):29. 10.5758/vsi.210011.

Is Biochemical Follow Up Possible in Peripheral Arterial Disease Treatment: Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 Alpha?

• Yücel C
• Gürsoy M
• Ketenciler S
• Tenekeciğil A
• Kızıltan F
• Kayalar N

• KMID: 2521002
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5758/vsi.210011

Abstract

Purpose
The hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1 is a dimeric protein complex that plays an integral role in the body’s response to hypoxia. This study aimed to analyze the regulation of HIF-1α following vascular and/or endovascular surgery in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients.
Materials and Methods
A total of 40 patients with PAD (≥Rutherford category 3) were included in this prospective study. The mean age was 61.9±9.2 years. Open surgery was performed in 16 patients, and endovascular intervention was performed in 34 patients. At preoperative (T1), postoperative day 1 (T2), and month 3 (T3), the serum HIF-1α levels were checked using the ELISA technique.
Results
At T3, the ankle-brachial index was significantly higher than the preoperative value (P<0.001). Serum HIF-1α levels at T1, T2, and T3 were 2.0±1.7 ng/ mL, 1.9±1.7 ng/mL, and 1.6±1.4 ng/mL, respectively. Serum HIF-1α levels between T1 and T3 and between T2 and T3 were significantly different (P<0.05). The preoperative HIF-1α levels were lowest in iliac lesions compared to femoropopliteal or tibial lesions.
Conclusion
The HIF-1α levels were decreased in all patients on postoperative days, T2 and T3, compared with the preoperative values. Our results indicated that HIF-1α may be a surrogate marker after revascularization in patients with PAD. Further studies are needed to analyze the sensitivity, specificity, and cut-off values of HIF-1α in patients with PAD.

Keyword

Hypoxia inducible factor 1α; Atherosclerosis; Peripheral arterial disease; Endovascular procedures; Reperfusion