Plasma and platelet-derived vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin-1 in hypertension: effects of antihypertensive therapy

Sunil Nadar, Andrew Blann, Gregory Lip

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Platelets carry angiogenic growth factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1). Although platelet-derived growth factors are important in the pathogenesis and metastasis of malignancy, their role in the pathogenesis of complications and the response to treatment in hypertension is less known. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypotheses that there are differences in VEGF and Ang-1 in the plasma and within platelets from patients with hypertension, and that levels change with successful treatment. METHODS: We recruited 42 previously untreated patients with hypertension (25 male; mean age 53 years) and 30 age- and sex-matched controls. Plasma VEGF, Ang-1 and soluble P-selectin (sPsel, an index of platelet activation), and total platelet [platelet VEGF (pVEGF) and platelet Ang-1 (pAng-1)] were measured by ELISA. The patients were then treated for 6 months with amlodipine-based antihypertensive therapy, achieving a mean blood pressure below 140/80 mmHg. RESULTS: Patients with hypertension had significantly higher levels of plasma sPsel (P =0.01), VEGF (P <0.001) and Ang-1 (P = 0.01), as well as pVEGF (P <0.001) and pAng-1 (P =0.02). The levels of plasma and platelet angiogenic growth factors were significantly reduced after antihypertensive treatment (VEGF, P = 0.01; pVEGF, P <0.001; Ang-1, P <0.001; pAng-1, P = 0.04). There were no correlations with blood pressure or the levels of sPsel. CONCLUSION: Levels of plasma and intra-platelet VEGF and Ang-1 are increased in hypertension and are decreased with treatment. Platelet levels of VEGF and Ang-1 may be related to platelet activation but may also involve other mechanisms (for example, the general vascular and haemodynamic changes) that are seen in hypertension.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)331-7
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Internal Medicine
Volume256
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2004

Keywords

  • platelet
  • vascular endothelial growth factor
  • angiopoietin-1
  • hypertension
  • calcium channel blockers
  • P-selectin

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