Correlation of serum VEGF-C, ANGPTL4, and activin A levels with frailty

Hung-chen Chang; Xiaojun Wang; Xuchao Gu; Shuai Jiang; Wenhao Wang; Tao Wu; Maoqing Ye; Xinkai Qu; Zhijun Bao

Experimental Gerontology (Jan 2024)

Correlation of serum VEGF-C, ANGPTL4, and activin A levels with frailty

Hung-chen Chang,
Xiaojun Wang,
Xuchao Gu,
Shuai Jiang,
Wenhao Wang,
Tao Wu,
Maoqing Ye,
Xinkai Qu,
Zhijun Bao

Affiliations

Hung-chen Chang: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Cardiology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
Xiaojun Wang: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Gerontology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
Xuchao Gu: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
Shuai Jiang: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
Wenhao Wang: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
Tao Wu: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
Maoqing Ye: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Cardiology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Shanghai institute of geriatric medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Corresponding authors at: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
Xinkai Qu: Department of Cardiology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Corresponding author.
Zhijun Bao: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Gerontology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Shanghai institute of geriatric medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Corresponding authors at: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 185
p. 112345

Abstract

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Background: Secretory factors linked to lymphogenesis, such as vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C), angiopoietin like protein 4 (ANGPTL4), and activin A (ACV-A), have been recognized as potential markers of chronic inflammatory status and age-related diseases. Furthermore, these factors may also be linked to frailty. The primary objective of this study was to examine the serum VEGF-C, ANGPTL4, and ACV-A levels in young individuals, healthy older individuals, and older individuals with pre-frailty and frailty, and to determine their association with pro-inflammatory factor levels. Methods: We conducted an observational study, enrolling a total of 210 older individuals and 20 young healthy volunteers. Participants were divided into four groups based on the Freid frailty phenotype: healthy young group, older patients without frailty group, pre-frail older group, and frail older group. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from all four groups. ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of VEGF-C, ANGPTL4, ACV-A, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, while RT-qPCR was used to measure the transcription level of VEGF-C, ANGPTL4 and ACV-A in PBMCs. Results: In comparison to healthy young individuals and older participants without frailty, older participants with frailty exhibited lower renal function, higher serum levels and transcription levels of VEGF-C, ANGPTL4, ACV-A, and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (CRP, IL-1β, and TNF-α). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that serum levels of VEGF-C, ANGPTL4, and ACV-A were positively correlated with the frailty index, independent of age, eGFR, and comorbidities. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that serum levels of VEGF-C, ANGPTL4, and ACV-A have great accuracy in predicting frailty. Conclusion: Elevated serum levels of VEGF-C, ANGPTL4, and ACV-A are associated with frailty status.

Published in Experimental Gerontology

ISSN: 1873-6815 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine; Science: Biology (General)
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/experimental-gerontology

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