Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Aging: Study among Urban Population of Vijayapur, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Introduction: It is known that angiogenesis delays in aging. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is the most potent angiogenic factor. But the influence of aging on VEGF is still unclear among healthy population. Aim: To determine the relationship between aging and VEGF among different age groups in both male and female subjects of Vijayapur city, Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study conducted in Sri B.M. Patil Medical College (October 2016 to April 2017) on 196 healthy subjects male (n= 98) and female (n=98) subjects (20-95 years) were randomly selected among general population of Vijayapur city, Karnataka, India. Subjects were divided into six group: Group I (20-29 years), II (30-39 years), III (40-49 years), IV (50-59 years), V (60-69 years) and VI (>70 years). Anthropometric and physiological parameters like height (cms), weight (kg), Body Mass Index (BMI in kg/m2 ), Body Surface Area (BSA in m2 ), Pulse Rate (PR in bpm) and Blood Pressure (BP) were assessed. The VEGF was assessed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Statistical analysis was done by using one-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc t-test and unpaired t-test by using SPSS software. Results: Group I to Group VI showed significant (p<0.001) steady increase of VEGF in both male and female subjects. There was significant difference (p<0.001) of VEGF between male and female subjects. Conclusion: Aging alters serum VEGF and causes vascular dysfunction. Females are greater protected against age related alteration of vascular pathophysiology due to greater VEGF concentration as compared to male counterparts.

Keywords

• angiogenesis
• body mass index
• vasculogenesis