Changes of serum hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with coronary heart disease

AIM: To study the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and to discuss their clinical significance. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with CHD were chosen and divided into two group: acute coronary syndrome (ACS) group (n=42) and stable angina pectoris (SAP) group (n=37). Thirty-five healthy subjects were chosen as control group. Serum levels of VEGF and HIF-1α from fasting blood were tested in all patients using ELISA. RESULTS: Serum levels of VEGF and HIF-1α in ACS group were higher than those in SAP group and control group (P<0.05). No difference was observed in VEGF and HIF-1α between SAP and control group. CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of VEGF and HIF-1α may be signs of atherosclerotic plaque destabilization.