J Korean Med Sci.  2001 Apr;16(2):198-203. 10.3346/jkms.2001.16.2.198.

Circulating levels of interleukin-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with carotid stenosis

• Lee SH
• Jeong MH
• Bae HR
• Jeong SJ
• Jang JY
• Lim YJ
• Kim SH
• Kim JW
• Cha JK

• KMID: 648257
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2001.16.2.198

Abstract

Interleukin (IL)-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are important factors that induce the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells, increase the vascular permeability, and the modulate chemotaxis of monocytes. These molecules have been found in human atherosclerotic plaques. However, it is not clear whether the circulating levels of IL-8 and VEGF correlate with the extents of carotid stenosis. In this study, we investigated the relationship between circulating levels of IL-8 as well as VEGF and the extents of carotid stenosis. Sera from 41 patients with carotid stenosis were assessed for concentrations of IL-8 and VEGF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The degree of stenosis of extracranial carotid artery was calibrated by carotid B- mode ultrasonography. The serum concentration of IL-8 (r=-0.04733, p>0.05) was not correlated with the degree of stenosis. However, the serum concentration of VEGF (r=0.4974, p<0.01) was significantly correlated with the degree of carotid stenosis. These findings suggest that increased serum level of VEGF might be a marker for higher degree of stenosis of extracranial carotid artery.

Keyword

Atherosclerosis; Endothelial Growth Factors; Interleukin-8; Endothelium, Vascular; Carotid Stenosis

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Carotid Artery Diseases/blood
Carotid Stenosis/*blood
Disease Progression
Endothelial Growth Factors/*blood
Female
Human
Interleukin-8/*blood
Lymphokines/*blood
Male
Middle Age