The Significance of ET-1、VEGF and HIF-1α in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD)

Objective To explore the role of Endothelins-1 (ET-1) 、vasculer endothlial growth factor(VEGF) and hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with COPD.Methods This study included 40 COPD patients in stable period with PAH (observe group) and 20 COPD patients in stable period without PAH(control group).All cases were examined pulmonary arterial pressure with tissue doppler imaging,pulmonary function and arterial blood gas analysis.The plasma levels of ET-1、VEGF and HIF-1α were detected by radioimmunoassay method.Results Compared with control group,the FEV1 and FEV1/FVC in observe group were significantly decreased,and the arterial oxygen pressure was markedly lower (60±6mmHg).The plasma levels of ET-1(271.7±33.5pg/ml)、VEGF(261.4±49.2pg/ml)、 HIF-1α(278.4±79.1ng/ml)in observe group were significantly higher than those in control group (P0.05).Conclusions In COPD with PAH patients plasma leves of ET-1、VEGF and HIF-1α are higher than those in COPD without PAH.Therefore plasma ET-1、VEGF and HIF-1α take part in the process of pulmonary arterial hypertention in COPD patients.