Vascular endothelial growth factor in the plasma, follicular fluid and granulosa cells of women with endometriosis submitted toin vitrofertilization – a pilot study

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic factor that is altered in endometriosis, supports the immunological mechanism involved in this disease. The aim of the present study was to assess VEGF concentration in the plasma, follicular fluid (FF) and culture medium (CM) of granulosa cells from patients with endometriosis submitted to in vitro fertilization (IVF). A case-control study was conducted on 14 patients with endometriosis and 14 women without endometriosis submitted to IVF. Peripheral blood samples were collected before and after administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), in addition to FF and CM samples. Plasma VEGF levels increased after hCG administration in women with endometriosis and in controls, but were significant only in controls. VEGF levels were lower in FF but were significantly increased in the CM of patients with endometriosis. There was no correlation between VEGF and age, response to ovarian stimulation, oocyte or embryo quality, and pregnancy result. The increase of VEGF levels after hCG in both groups demonstrated a positive effect of this hormone on VEGF. VEGF in the FF and CM presented opposite results in endometriosis, suggesting that granulosa cells may show a different behavior in vivo and in vitro.

Performance of peripheral (serum and molecular) blood markers for diagnosis of endometriosis

“…In contrast, other authors have shown a significant increase in circulating levels of VEGF among women with endometriosis [38][39][40]. In our study, we found no significant modulation of VEGFA mRNA levels in the peripheral blood of patients with endometriosis compared to controls.…”

Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 mRNA: A Promising Peripheral Blood Marker for Diagnosis of Endometriosis

“…Some studies have actually reported no significant difference in VEGF serum levels in patients with endometriosis compared with controls [24,25]. In contrast, other authors have shown a significant increase in circulating levels of VEGF among women with endometriosis [20,21,22,23]. In our study, we found no significant modulation of VEGFA mRNA levels in the peripheral blood of patients with endometriosis compared to controls.…”

“…Previous studies have indicated a significant increase in VEGF and its mRNA expression in endometriotic lesions compared to controls or eutopic endometrium [15,16,17,18,19]. Contradictory results have been reported concerning peripheral blood levels of VEGF in women with or without endometriosis; some published data reported higher levels in cases of endometriosis [20,21,22,23], while other data reported no differences at all [24,25]. …”

Using Symptom Scores, Lifestyle Measures and Biochemical Markers to Create a Test for Endometriosis

“…In contrast, the evidence for up-regulation of inflammatory and angiogenic markers on a systemic level is mixed. The angiogenic markers VEGF, leptin and/or glycodelin are increased in women with endometriosis (9, 45-47) or do not change (18, 48-54). Similarly, 2 of the 3 inflammatory markers assayed in this study, MCP-1 and MIF have had mixed results in past studies with some reporting elevated blood levels in women with endometriosis (55-57) and others showing no difference (52, 58, 59).…”