BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Angiogenesis is an important component of tissue regeneration. As @entity29 ( @entity29 ) involves @entity32 , ulceration, and regeneration of the intestinal mucosa, angiogenesis may be an integral part of @entity29 pathology. This study investigated the role of @entity7 in @entity29 . @entity1 AND METHODS: The @entity7 plasma (pVEGF) and serum (sVEGF) levels were assessed in @entity1 with @entity31 ( @entity31 ; n=50) or @entity30 ( @entity30 ; n=44) and in healthy controls (n=23). The immunohistochemical expression of @entity7 was also assessed in surgical material from 11 @entity1 with active @entity29 . RESULTS: Overall the sVEGF levels ranged from 30-899 pg/ml (median 200 pg/ml) and were significantly higher than the pVEGF levels (range 20-80 pg/ml, median 30 pg/ml). pVEGF levels were significantly lower in @entity1 with active and quiescent @entity30 than in healthy controls. Despite the lower pVEGF levels noted also for @entity1 with @entity31 , the difference was not significant. sVEGF levels were also reduced in @entity1 with @entity29 , but the difference was not significant. No association of pEGF/sVEGF with beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 levels (markers of platelet activation) was noted. On immunohistochemistry @entity7 was not expressed in the inflammatory component (lymphocytes and macrophages), the fibroblasts, or the muscular layer of the intestinal wall. The intestinal epithelium was negative in @entity30 , while a cytoplasmic reactivity was noted in @entity31 and normal controls. CONCLUSION: As @entity7 is a vascular and epithelial cell survival factor, the defective @entity7 response ability, confirmed here for @entity1 with @entity30 , may be a key element in the pathology of the disease. The pathology of @entity31 , however, seems not to be @entity7 dependent.

XXXX in @entity29 .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'PATIENTS'] @entity32 :: ('MESH:D007249', 'Disease') :: ['inflammation'] @entity7 :: ('7422', 'Gene') :: ['vascular endothelial growth factor', 'VEGF'] @entity31 :: ('MESH:D003093', 'Disease') :: ['ulcerative colitis', 'UC'] @entity29 :: ('MESH:D015212', 'Disease') :: ['Inflammatory bowel disease', 'IBD'] @entity30 :: ('MESH:D003424', 'Disease') :: ['CD', "Crohn's disease"]
@entity7 :: (7422,Gene) :: ['Vascular endothelial growth factor']
