Predictive Role of Circulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-1 in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases

Vascular endothelial growth factor-1 (VEGF-1) is a glycoprotein that belongs super family of vascular endothelial factors with sufficient capacity to stimulation of angiogenesis in vivo. VEGF-1 is widely expressed in various tissues and over expressed due to hypoxia and inflammation by different spectrum of the cells. A regulation of the VEGF-1 synthesis is mediated by paracrine mechanisms with involvement of specific solubilized receptor VEGFR that plays a pivotal role in a reduction of ischemic tissue injury through modulation of target organ protection, neurogenesis, and angiogenesis. The clinical correlations of circulating levels of VEGF-1 in subjects with cardiovascular diseases are still unclear. It has been suggested exaggerated concentration of VEGF-1 might refer a better prognosis in CAD patients, while a negative effect of neovascularization in plaque region supporting by VEGF-1 is defined. The negative effect of VEGF-1 on progression in age-related diseases, such as early diabetic retinopathy, has been reported. This review is dedicated the discussion of controversial role of the VEGF-1 among cardiovascular disease patients and assay to predictive value of VEGF- 1 as biomarker at risk stratification.