Age-related change of serum angiogenic factor levels in patients with coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin (Ang)-1 and -2 regulate angiogenesis and might be important in myocardial collateral development. Elevated levels of angiogenic growth factors in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have been reported. However, the age-related change of angiogenic growth factors in patients with CAD remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serum VEGF, Ang-1 and -2 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Serum VEGF, Ang-1 and -2 levels in patients with CAD were significantly higher than those in healthy control subjects. In patients aged <61 years and 61 to 70 years, serum Ang-1 and -2 levels were significantly higher than in patients aged >70 years, serum Ang-2 levels in patients aged <61 years were significantly higher than in patients aged from 61 to 70 years. Serum VEGF levels were not significantly different in the three age groups. Serum VEGF, Ang-1 and -2 levels were not significantly different across the age groups in healthy subjects. Regression analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between age and Ang-1 and -2 in patients with CAD. CONCLUSION: Serum Ang-1 and -2 levels, but notVEGF levels in patients with CAD, are decreased along with advancing age.