Detection and significance of serum VEGF in patients with subacute-on-chronic liver failure

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of the change of serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in predicting prognosis of patients with subacute-on-chronic liver failure(SACLF).Methods Serum VEGF,ALT,TBi,ALB,CHE,PT and AFP were detected in 132 patients with SACLF.The correlations of the change of serum VEGF and the liver function and degree of liver injury were analyzed.Results There was a positive correlation between serum VEGF and TBi or PT and a negative correlation between VEGF and ALB or CHE.But there was no significant correlation between VEGF and ALT or AFP.The concentrations of serum VEGF were(147.46±60.99)pg/ml,(153.85±127.40)pg/ml and(179.24±115.26)pg/ml in SACLF patients with chronic hepatitis,liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma,respectively.The serum VEGF levels of SACLF patients were(126.88±110.43)pg/ml,(233.21±109.04)pg/ml,and(251.443±99.44)pg/ml for early,medium-term,and later stage,respectively,which were all higher than those of healthy controls(P0.01).The serum VEGF levels were higher in the cases in medium-term or later stage than those in early stage cases(P0.01).The level of serum VEGF was higher in the died SACLF patients than that in the survivals.Conclusion The serum levels of VEGF in patients with SACLF were closely associated with severity and prognosis of the disease.VEGF may play a important role in the pathogenesis of SACLF.