The significance of plasma vascular endothglial growth factor change closed head injury

Objective To investigate the patten of plasma VEGF change after closed head injury, and the relation with brain edema and secondary brain injury.Methods 31patients suffered from closed head injury were selected.2ml venous blood sample was collected on the first day,2d,3d ,7d after injury and the plasma level of VEGF determined with ELISA method.At the same time platelet count,GCS and cranio-CT were recored. With the same way, plasmaVEGF and PLT were measure in 31 normal health adults.Results No distinct difference between patient group and normal group in age,sex and PLT. Plasma VEGF rose gradually after head injury, to the highest on 3 d,decreased again at 7 d,but all show no significant difference with normal group. VEGF had distinct correlationship with brain edema and secondary brain injury.Conclusion The expression of plasma VEGF after head injury distinctly correlated with brainedema, secondary brain injury. Therefore to regulate the expression of VEGF after brain injury with anti-VEGF antibody may be an effective way to treat brain edema and alleviate secondary brain injury.