What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Obesity (n=65). Intervention: Obesity vs. Lean subjects. Primary outcome: Serum HGF levels (pg/ml) (p=<0.0001).

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate whether human obesity is associated with systemic elevations in circulating levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

September 20, 2026Journal of the American College of CardiologyOpen Access

Obesity is associated with increased levels of circulating hepatocyte growth factor

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Obesity was associated with a marked increase in circulating HGF levels compared to lean subjects (2,462 vs. 765 pg/ml, p < 0.0001), which correlated linearly with BMI.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate whether human obesity is associated with systemic elevations in circulating levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

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Key result

Obesity is linked to ~3-fold higher circulating HGF levels vs lean controls.

P<0.0001
n=65

Why the study?

Obesity is a cardiovascular risk factor with mechanisms not fully understood, and its association with circulating mitogenic factors HGF and VEGF was evaluated.

Is obesity associated with increased levels of circulating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in humans?

Comparison

Obese subjects vs lean subjects

Design

Cross-sectional study

Authors

JRJalees RehmanIllinois College RCRobert V. ConsidineIndiana University School of Medicine JBJason E. BovenkerkIndiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Obesity is associated with a marked increase in circulating HGF levels, which correlate linearly with BMI, suggesting a potential humoral link between obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Key Points

To evaluate whether human obesity is associated with systemic elevations in circulating levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Measured serum HGF and VEGF levels using enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assays in lean (n = 21) and obese (n = 44) volunteers.
Evaluated insulin sensitivity through fasting glucose and insulin levels, and quantified HGF secretion from conditioned media of isolated human adipose cells.
Serum HGF levels were more than threefold higher in obese subjects than in lean subjects (2,462 ± 184 pg/ml vs. 765 ± 48 pg/ml, p < 0.0001) and correlated positively with body mass index (r = 0.74, p < 0.0001).
Serum VEGF levels did not differ significantly between obese and lean groups (135 ± 31 pg/ml vs. 128 ± 37 pg/ml).
Human adipose cells directly secreted HGF, and systemic HGF elevations in obese individuals occurred independently of insulin resistance or hypertension.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=65)

Structured PICO

Is obesity associated with increased levels of circulating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in humans?

Population

65 volunteers (21 lean and 44 obese) evaluated for circulating hepatocyte growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor levels.

Exposure

Obese status (exposure)

Comparator

Lean status

Outcome

Serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levelssurrogate

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 2462% vs 765%

p-value: p=<0.0001

Obesity is associated with a marked increase in circulating HGF levels, which correlate linearly with BMI, suggesting a potential humoral link between obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Cite This Study

Rehman et al. (2003) conducted a cross-sectional in Obesity (n=65). Obesity vs. Lean subjects was evaluated on Serum HGF levels (pg/ml) (p=<0.0001). Obesity was associated with a marked increase in circulating HGF levels compared to lean subjects (2,462 vs. 765 pg/ml, p < 0.0001), which correlated linearly with BMI.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aafa45757d6df4e8ab04a37 https://doi.org/10.1016/s0735-1097(03)00231-6

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Implication

Obesity is associated with a marked increase in circulating HGF levels, which correlate linearly with BMI, suggesting a potential humoral link between obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Obesity is associated with increased levels of circulating hepatocyte growth factor

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Cite This Study

Obesity is associated with increased levels of circulating hepatocyte growth factor

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider