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Salivary levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in recurrent aphthous ulceration
Author(s) -
Brozovic S.,
VucicevicBoras V.,
MravakStipetic M.,
Jukic S.,
Kleinheinz J.,
Lukac J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0714.2002.310208.x
Subject(s) - vascular endothelial growth factor , medicine , angiogenesis , saliva , stage (stratigraphy) , vegf receptors , cytokine , pathogenesis , vascular endothelial growth factor a , endocrinology , gastroenterology , biology , paleontology
Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a multifunctional angiogenic cytokine involved in angiogenesis and wound healing. Its presence in recurrent aphthous ulceration has not been reported to date. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of salivary levels of VEGF with various stages of recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU). Methods: VEGF levels were determined in a group of 27 age and sex‐matched healthy controls and in 30 patients with minor and major RAU grouped into the three stages: (I) early active stage, (II) active stage, and (III) remission period. VEGF levels (pg/ml; mean ± SD) in unstimulated whole saliva were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Results: Patients with major RAU – stages I and II – had decreased VEGF values (765 ± 458 and 341 ± 109, respectively) when compared both to healthy controls (1652 ± 567; P < 0.01) and to stage III major RAU (1524 ± 784; P < 0.005). Conclusion: Salivary VEGF levels seemed to be associated with ulcer development in major RAU, showing stage‐dependent alterations during the course of this disorder.