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Biomedical subjects

D Hong

Publications and source records attributed to D Hong.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Heterogeneous response of microvascular endothelial cells to shear stress.

We investigated changes in calcium concentration in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) and rat adrenomedulary endothelial cells (RAMECs, microvascular) in response to different levels of shear stress. In BAECs, the onset of shear stress elicited a transient increase in intracellular calcium concentration that was spatially uniform, synchronous, and dose dependent. In contrast, the response of RAMECs was heterogeneous in time and space. Shear stress induced calcium waves that originated from one or several cells and propagated to neighboring cells. The number and size of the responding groups of cells did not depend on the magnitude of shear stress or the magnitude of the calcium change in the responding cells. The initiation and the propagation of calcium waves in RAMECs were significantly suppressed under conditions in which either purinergic receptors were blocked by suramin or extracellular ATP was degraded by apyrase. Exogenously applied ATP produced similarly heterogeneous responses. The number of responding cells was dependent on ATP concentration, but the magnitude of the calcium change was not. Our data suggest that shear stress stimulates RAMECs to release ATP, causing the increase in intracellular calcium concentration via purinergic receptors in cells that are heterogeneously sensitive to ATP. The propagation of the calcium signal is also mediated by ATP, and the spatial pattern suggests a locally elevated ATP concentration in the vicinity of the initially responding cells.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2002

Assessment of the afferent vagal nerve in patients with gastroesophageal reflux.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the integrity of the vagal nerve afferent pathways in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). METHODS: Seven GERD patients (4 males and 3 females, mean age 39 +/- 8 years) were studied. Twelve healthy volunteers (11 males and 1 female, mean age 32 +/- 8 years) were used as the control group. Cortical evoked potentials were measured. Electrical stimulation of the esophageal mucosa was performed through a custom-built device. Latencies and N2/P2 amplitude were measured. RESULTS: Reproducible cortical evoked potentials were obtained from all subjects. The stimulation threshold for GERD patients to electrical esophageal stimulation was 5.1 +/- 1.5 mA compared to 7.8 +/- 2.0 mA in healthy volunteers (p <0.05). There was no difference in peak latencies or N2/P2 amplitude between GERD patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: GERD patients have a normal vagal nerve function, but they exhibit a decreased threshold for esophageal perception. The mechanism responsible for increased esophageal sensitivity observed in GERD patients is still undetermined and warrants further study.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Addition of enzyme to starter and grower diets for ducks.

The growth performance and nutrient utilization responses of White Pekin ducks to a commercial enzyme preparation were investigated. The enzyme contained 4,000 units amylase, 12,000 units protease, and 1,600 units xylanase per gram. Twelve pens of 10 ducks were fed diets based on corn and soybean meal and wheat middlings. The diets contained the enzyme mixture at 0, 0.375, or 0.5 g/kg in a growth study for 42 d. At the end of growth study, four ducks from each of eight pens per diet were retained and continued their respective diets containing 2.5 g Cr2O3/kg for 7 d. Intestinal content was sampled to determine ileal digestibilities of energy, nitrogen, and amino acids. One duck from each pen was selected at the end of the growth study and was fitted with retainer rings around the vent for the attachment of an excreta collection apparatus; these ducks were maintained on their respective diets containing 2.5 g Cr2O3/ kg to determine dietary nitrogen, amino acids, and energy retention. Results from the performance study showed a 6 to 8% increase (P < 0.05) in BW gain for birds fed diets containing the enzyme. There was also an enzyme-related improvement in feed efficiency (P < 0.05) over the 42-d study. Ileal nitrogen digestibility was highest (P < 0.05) for ducks fed diets containing the enzyme preparation at 0.5 g/kg, but ileal digestibility of energy was not affected by enzyme supplementation of diets. Apparent nitrogen retention was greater (P < 0.05) in ducks that received enzyme at 0.5 g/kg diet than in ducks fed diets without the enzyme. Energy retention (AME and AMEn) of diets was not affected by the addition of enzyme to diets. Excreta amino acid digestibilities were found to be consistently higher than ileal estimates. The mean ileal amino acid digestibility coefficients in diets with enzyme at 0, 0.375, and 0.5 g/kg were 86.94, 88.82, and 88.87%, respectively. The addition of enzyme improved (P < 0.05) ileal amino acid digestibility and apparent amino acid retention. The study indicates that dietary enzyme supplementation improved growth performance, nitrogen, and amino acid retention of White Pekin ducks.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2002

Additivity and associative effects of metabolizable energy and amino acid digestibility of corn, soybean meal, and wheat red dog for White Pekin ducks.

The additivity of true amino acid digestibility (TAAD) and true metabolizable energy (TME) values in corn, soybean meal, and wheat red dog for White Pekin ducks was investigated. Differences between observed values for the complete diets and values predicted from measurements of individual ingredients were used to test additivity. Eight ducks were each assigned to the following dietary treatments: corn, soybean meal (44% CP), wheat red dog (wheat by-product with less than 4% fiber), complete Diet 1 (corn-soybean meal), complete Diet 2 (corn-red dog-soybean meal), and dextrose. Dextrose-fed ducks were used to estimate endogenous losses. The nitrogen-corrected TME (TMEn) in corn, soybean meal, wheat red dog, and two complete diets were 3.411, 2.919, 2.502, 3.148, and 3.111 kcal/g, respectively. In general, the TME and TMEn values observed in the two complete diets were not different (P > 0.05) from predicted values and indicated that the TME and TMEn in corn, soybean meal, and wheat red dog were all additive. The mean TAAD of corn, soybean meal, wheat red dog, and the two complete diets were not different, and were 87.03, 88.15, 90.58, 85.83, and 87.02%, respectively. The differences in TAAD between observed and predicted values were significant (P < 0.05) only for arginine, lysine, and aspartate in complete Diet 1, and for arginine, histidine, lysine, and aspartate in complete Diet 2. These results indicated that TME and TMEn values for corn,soybean meal, and wheat red dog were all additive in the two complete diets, but digestibilities of some amino acids were not additive and demonstrated some associative effects.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2001

Laparoscopic vs. open resection for colorectal adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcome after laparoscopic versus open resection for colorectal adenocarcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of all patients undergoing elective resection for colorectal adenocarcinoma between November 1992 and June 1999 at a university-affiliated hospital. These included 219 open (mean age, 68.3 years) and 98 laparoscopic (mean age, 70.3 years) resections. Data from converted cases (n = 12) were included in the laparoscopic group using the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: Operative time, lymph node yield, resection margins and postoperative morbidity and mortality were similar between laparoscopic and open technique. Parenteral analgesic use was less in the laparoscopic group (laparoscopic, 2.7; open, 3.2 days; P = 0.021). Time to first flatus (laparoscopic, 1.8; open, 3 days; P < 0.0001) and first bowel movement (laparoscopic, 3.5; open, 4.9 days; P < 0.0001) was shorter in the laparoscopic group. Resumption of an oral liquid diet (laparoscopic, 2.1; open, 4 days; P < 0.0001) and solid diet (laparoscopic, 5.2; open, 7.1 days; P < 0.0001) was also quicker in the laparoscopic patients. Length of hospitalization was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic patients (laparoscopic, 6.9; open, 10.9 days; P < 0.001). There were less minor complications in the laparoscopic group (laparoscopic, 11.2; open, 21.5 percent; P = 0.029) but no difference in major complications or perioperative mortality. Recurrence, disease-free and overall survival were similar between the two groups. No port site recurrences occurred in the laparoscopic group but there were three wound recurrences in the open group. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer can be performed safely and effectively in tertiary centers. Earlier discharge from hospital, quicker resumption of oral feeds and less postoperative pain are clear advantages. No adverse effect on recurrence or survival was noted, but results of prospective, randomized trials, currently underway, are needed before laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer becomes the standard of practice.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Additivity and associative effects of metabolizable energy and amino acid digestibility in barley and canola meal for White Pekin ducks.

An experiment was conducted using the TMEn bioassay method to investigate the additivity and associative effects of metabolizable energy and amino acid digestibility in barley and canola meal for White Pekin ducks. Additivity was tested by comparing the difference between observed values determined in a complete diet and predicted values from measurements determined with individual ingredients (barley and canola meal). Six ducks each were assigned to diets of barley, canola meal, the complete diet, and dextrose. Dextrose-fed ducks were used for estimation of endogenous losses for calculation of true amino acid digestibility. The observed AME, TME, AMEn, and TMEn values in the complete diet were 0.065, 0.083, 0.016, and 0.023 (kcal/g), respectively, numerically higher than predicted values. Differences between observed and predicted values were not significant (P > 0.05), indicating that the AME, AMEn, TME, and TMEn in barley and canola meal were all additive. In general, observed values for apparent amino acid digestibility (AAAD) and true amino acid digestibility (TAAD) in the complete diet were higher than those predicted from individual ingredients. Observed AAAD for lysine, histidine, tryptophan, alanine, and aspartate were higher (P < 0.05) than predicted values, indicating that digestibilities of these amino acids were not additive. The mean of AAAD in canola meal (77.29%) was higher (P < 0.05) than the observed values of barley (52.2%) and complete diet (64.55%). For TAAD values, differences between observed and predicted values were significant for lysine, histidine, and tryptophan (P < 0.05). The mean of TAAD in canola meal, barley, and complete diet were 85.88, 80.87, and 81.33%, respectively. The average difference between observed and predicted values for TAAD (1.18 %) was smaller than that of AAAD (5.41%). These results indicated that ME values for barley and canola meal were additive in the complete diet but that digestibilities of some amino acids were not additive; they further suggested that there were some associative effects of amino acids in barley and canola meal for ducks.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2001

Effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa endotoxin on vasodilation in the intact spinotrapezius muscle.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether short-term exposure to clinically relevant concentrations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS) impairs vasoreactivity of resistance arterioles in the intact spinotrapezius muscle microcirculation and, if so, to determine the mechanisms mediating this response. Using intravital microscopy, we found that 60-min suffusion of P. aeruginosa LPS (0.03-3.0 microg/ml) on the in situ hamster spinotrapezius muscle elicited an immediate, profound, and prolonged concentration-dependent vasodilation (P < 0.05). This response was reversible once suffusion of P. aeruginosa LPS was stopped. Pretreatment with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10.0 microM), a nonselective nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, but not N(G)-nitro-D-arginine methyl ester, abrogated P. aeruginosa LPS-induced vasodilation and elicited a small, albeit significant, vasoconstriction. Indomethacin had no significant effects on P. aeruginosa LPS-induced responses. P. aeruginosa LPS had no significant effects on acetylcholine- and nitroglycerin-induced vasodilation in the spinotrapezius muscle. Collectively, these data indicate that short-term exposure to clinically relevant concentrations of P. aeruginosa LPS evokes an immediate, potent, prolonged, and reversible NO-dependent, prostaglandin-independent vasodilation in skeletal muscles in vivo. We suggest this response could play an important role in the pathophysiology of the profound vasomotor dysfunction observed in the peripheral circulation of patients with P. aeruginosa sepsis syndrome.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2001

Adenosine A(1) receptors mediate plasma exudation from the oral mucosa.

The purpose of this study was to pharmacologically characterize the adenosine receptor subtype(s) that mediates adenosine-induced increases in macromolecular efflux from the intact hamster cheek pouch. Using intravital microscopy, we found that 1,3-dipropyl-8-(2-amino-4-chlorophenyl)-xanthine (PACPX), a selective adenosine receptor-1 antagonist, but not 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX), a selective adenosine receptor-2 antagonist, significantly attenuated adenosine-induced leaky site formation and increased clearance of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran (molecular mass, 70 kDa) from the intact hamster cheek pouch (P < 0.05). Both compounds had no significant effects on bradykinin-induced responses. Nanomolar concentrations of R(-)-N(6)-(2-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine [R(-)-PIA], a selective adenosine A(1) agonist, evoked significant, concentration-dependent increases in macromolecular efflux. This response was significantly attenuated by PACPX but not by DMPX. In contrast, CGS-21680, a selective adenosine A(2) agonist, increased macromolecular efflux but only at micromolar concentrations. This response was significantly attenuated by DMPX but not by PACPX. Suffusion of nitroglycerin had no significant effects on R(-)-PIA- and CGS-21680-induced responses. In addition, suffusion of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, had no significant effects on adenosine-induced responses. Indomethacin had no significant effects on adenosine-, R(-)-PIA-, and CGS-21680-induced increases in macromolecular efflux. Collectively, these data indicate that adenosine increases macromolecular efflux from the intact hamster cheek pouch by stimulating high-affinity adenosine A(1) receptors in a specific, nitric oxide- and prostaglandin-independent fashion.

Adenosine↗
PubMed2001

Laparoscopic versus open bowel resection for Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic bowel resection is an alternative to open surgery for patients with Crohn's disease requiring surgical resection. The present report describes a seven-year experience with the laparoscopic treatment of Crohn's disease compared with the open technique in a tertiary Canadian centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 61 consecutive patients undergoing elective resection for Crohn's disease was carried out between October 1992 and June 1999. This analysis included 32 laparoscopic resections (mean age 33 years) and 29 open resections (mean age 42 years). Patient demographics were compared, as well as short and long term outcomes after surgery (mean follow-up 39 months). RESULTS: Patients in the laparoscopic group were younger and had fewer previous bowel surgeries than patients who had open resections. Indications for surgery and operative times were similar between the groups. Patients who underwent laparoscopic resections required fewer doses of narcotic analgesics. The resumption of bowel function after surgery, and tolerance of a clear liquid and solid diet was quicker in the laparoscopic group. Patients who underwent laparoscopic resections had significantly shorter hospital stays than those who underwent open resections. Fifteen patients (48.4%) in the laparoscopic group experienced recurrence of disease compared with 13 patients (44.8%) in the open group. In both groups, the most common site of recurrence was at the anastomosis. The disease-free interval was the same length for both groups (23.9+/-17.3 months for the laparoscopic resection patients compared with 23.9+/-20.2 months for the open resection patients; P=1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection for Crohn's disease can be performed safely and effectively. Quicker resumption of oral feeds, less postoperative pain and earlier discharge from hospital are advantages of the laparoscopic method. No differences in the recurrence rate or the disease-free interval were noted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Production of recombinant salmon calcitonin by amidation of precursor peptide using enzymatic transacylation and photolysis in vitro.

The C terminal amidation is required for full biological activity of salmon calcitonin (sCT). We constructed BL21(DE3)/pGEX-sCT-Ala, an engineering Escherichia coli strain. The soluble fusion protein of GST-sCT-Ala expressed from BL21(DE3)/pGEX-sCT-Ala was purified by affinity chromatography after high density, high expression culture and sonication of bacteria. Following S-sulfonation of the fusion protein, the 33 alanine-extended peptides were released from the fusion protein by cyanogen bromide. The S-sulfonated precursor peptide was transacylated by CPD-Y, o-PNGA as a nucleophile, to produce photosensitive SO(-)(3)-sCT-o-PNGA. After photolysis and folding, the biological activity of sCT was assayed as standard.

Acylation↗
PubMed2000

Tongue piercing. The new "rusty nail"?

BACKGROUND: Cephalic tetanus is a rare form of the tetanus caused primarily by wounds or other infectious processes involving the head and neck. This condition frequently progresses to the generalized form of tetanus with the attendant risks and complications. METHODS: A case report of a young female who developed an unusual form of tetanus after a tongue piercing is presented here. We discuss this disorder as it applies to the contemporary caregiver with a focus on its presentation and recognition. RESULTS: A delay in diagnosis of 13 days from presentation occurred. The patient had a slow, uneventful but incomplete recovery course. She never developed significant airway compromise, nor did she demonstrate any evidence of hemodynamic instability but continued to have right facial weakness up to 6 months after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: A few factors were identified that contributed to the significant delay in diagnosis. The unusual nature of the disease and a lowered index of suspicion on the part of the initial caregivers were probably the major causes. Fortunately, no major adverse sequelae resulted from the delay. However, if this case heralds the onset of a rise in the incidence of tetanus, early recognition and diagnosis would seem essential to avoid much of the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Ibuprofen liquigel for oral surgery pain.

BACKGROUND: Ibuprofen liquigel is a solubilized potassium ibuprofen 200-mg gelatin capsule formulation that was approved for over-the-counter use in 1995. OBJECTIVE: This study compared the analgesic efficacy and tolerability of ibuprofen liquigel 200 mg, ibuprofen liquigel 400 mg, acetaminophen caplets 1000 mg, and placebo in patients experiencing moderate or severe pain after surgical removal of impacted third molars. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, 6-hour study was conducted in 210 patients experiencing moderate or severe postoperative pain. Ratings of pain intensity and pain relief were recorded every 15 minutes for the first hour, at 90 and 120 minutes, and then hourly through hour 6. The onsets of first perceptible relief and meaningful relief were recorded using 2 stopwatches. An analysis of variance model was employed to test for significant differences (P < or = 0.05) between treatment groups with respect to pain relief, pain intensity difference, total pain relief (TOTPAR), and summed pain intensity difference (SPID). Stopwatch measures were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Drug tolerability was assessed by monitoring the occurrence of adverse events. RESULTS: During the first 2 hours of the study (TOTPAR 2 and SPID 2), all active treatments were significantly more efficacious than placebo (P < 0.001), with ibuprofen liquigel 200 and 400 mg significantly more efficacious than acetaminophen 1000 mg (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). For the entire duration of the study (TOTPAR 6 and SPID 6), only the 2 doses of ibuprofen liquigel were significantly more efficacious than placebo (P < 0.001). Ibuprofen liquigel 200 and 400 mg were also significantly more efficacious than acetaminophen 1000 mg on the summary measures TOTPAR 6 and SPID 6 (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). Analysis of the stopwatch data revealed that all active treatments displayed significantly more rapid onsets to confirmed first perceptible relief (P < 0.001 to < 0.05) and meaningful relief (P < 0.001 to < 0.01) than did placebo, with ibuprofen liquigel 400 mg displaying a significantly more rapid onset to meaningful relief than acetaminophen 1000 mg (P < 0.05) and a significantly more rapid onset to confirmed first perceptible relief than acetaminophen 1000 mg (P < 0.001) and ibuprofen liquigel 200 mg (P < 0.01). All adverse events were considered mild or moderate, with an overall incidence of 11.5% in the ibuprofen liquigel 200-mg group, 6.8% in the ibuprofen liquigel 400-mg group, 19.0% in the acetaminophen 1000-mg group, and 25.9% in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Ibuprofen liquigel provided greater peak and overall analgesic effects and a more rapid onset to analgesia than did acetaminophen 1000 mg.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed2000

Genetic erosion in northern marginal population of the common wild rice Oryza rufipogon Griff. and its conservation, revealed by the change of population genetic structure.

In order to monitor genetic erosion within the northern marginal population of common wild rice Oryza rufipogon Griff. from Dongxiang, Jiangxi Province, China, allozyme diversity encoded by 22 loci was analyzed electrophoretically from all the existing subpopulations in 1980, 1985 and 1994. The sample collected from the nine large subpopulations in 1980 showed the highest levels of genetic diversity (A = 1.27, P = 18.20%, Ho = 0.042 and He = 0.049) and a slight deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectation (F = 0.143), the sample from five moderate ones in 1985 displayed medium levels of genetic diversity (A = 1.14, P = 13.60%, Ho = 0.008 and He = 0.049) and a great deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectation (F = 0.837), and the sample from two small ones in 1994 demonstrated the lowest levels of genetic diversity (A = 1.09, P = 9.10%, Ho = 0.000 and He = 0.043) and the largest deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectation (F = 1.000). The results not only documented the genetic erosion stemmed from the extinction of the subpopulations, but also revealed the drastic change of the population genetic structure due to the reduction of the population. Finally, some conservation strategies for the population are proposed.

DNA, Plant↗
PubMed2000

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors modulate agonist-induced vasodilation in the hamster cheek pouch.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether inhibitors of tyrosine kinase attenuate vasodilation elicited by endogenously elaborated and exogenously applied nitric oxide in the in situ peripheral microcirculation. Using intravital microscopy, we found that pretreatment with genistein (1.0 microM) and tyrphostin 25 (10.0 microM), two structurally unrelated tyrosine kinase inhibitors, significantly attenuated acetylcholine-, bradykinin- and nitroglycerin-induced dilation of second-order arterioles (51 +/- 1 microm) in the in situ hamster cheek pouch (P < 0.05). Both inhibitors nearly abrogated acetylcholine-induced responses but only partially blocked bradykinin- and nitroglycerin-induced vasodilation. Genistein and tyrphostin 25 alone had no significant effects on resting arteriolar diameter and on adenosine-induced vasodilation in the cheek pouch. On balance, these data indicate that tyrosine kinase inhibitors attenuate endogenously elaborated and exogenously applied nitric oxide-induced vasodilation in the in situ hamster cheek pouch. However, the extent of tyrosine kinase inhibitor-sensitive pathway involvement in this response appears to be agonist dependent.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2000

PGH(2)-TxA(2)-receptor blockade restores vasoreactivity in a new rodent model of genetic hypertension.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether activation of prostaglandin H(2)-thromboxane A(2) (PGH(2)-TxA(2)) receptors impedes vasodilation in the in situ peripheral microcirculation of spontaneously hypertensive hamsters, a new rodent model of high-renin genetic hypertension. Using intravital microscopy, we found that vasodilation elicited by suffusion of acetylcholine and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), two neurotransmitters localized in perivascular nerves in the peripheral circulation, on the in situ cheek pouch was significantly attenuated in spontaneously hypertensive hamsters relative to age- and genetically matched normotensive hamsters (P < 0.05). However, nitroglycerin-induced vasodilation was similar in both groups. Pretreatment with SQ-29548, a selective and potent PGH(2)-TxA(2)-receptor antagonist, restored acetylcholine- and VIP-induced vasodilation in spontaneously hypertensive hamsters. SQ-29548 had no significant effects on resting arteriolar diameter and on nitroglycerin-induced vasodilation in both groups. SQ-29548 slightly but significantly potentiated VIP- but not acetylcholine-induced vasodilation in normotensive hamsters. Collectively, these data indicate that activation of PGH(2)-TxA(2) receptors impedes agonist-induced vasodilation in the in situ cheek pouch of spontaneously hypertensive hamsters. We suggest that this model is suitable for studying the role of prostanoids in mediating vasomotor dysfunction observed in genetic hypertension.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2000

[Changes and significance of concentrations of serum vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the changes of concentrations of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIN) as well as to explore the relationship between VEGF and pathogenesis of PIN. METHODS: Serum VEGF concentrations in 23 healthy nonpregnant women (nonpregnant group), 30 normal pregnant women (normal pregnancy group) and 37 women with PIH (PIH group) were measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Serum concentrations of VEGF were significantly higher in normal pregnancy group (149.39 +/- 27.15) ng/L than those in nonpregnant group (11.98 +/- 3.99) ng/L (P < 0.001), peaking in the second trimester of pregnancy (183.84 +/- 49.02) ng/L and decreasing in the third trimester (118.37 +/- 34.29) ng/L. Serum VEGF concentrations (64.45 +/- 24.33) in PIH group were significantly lower than those in normal late pregnancy group (118.37 +/- 34.29) ng/L (P < 0.01). There was a trend that serum VEGF concentrations in PIH group decreased with the severity of PIH (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The decrease of VEGF may play and important role in the pathogenic mechanism of PIH.

Adult↗