ESPE Abstracts

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a signal protein produced by cells that stimulates vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. It is part of the system that restores the oxygen supply to tissues when blood circulation is inadequate. Serum concentration of VEGF is high in bronchial asthma and diabetes mellitus. Overexpression of VEGF can cause vascular disease in the retina of the eye and other parts of the body.

Objective and hypotheses: The aim of this study is comparison between circulating VEGF levels in children with diabetes type 1, obese and healthy children.

Method: The study concerned 90 children with diabetes type 1, 60 children with obesity without diabetes and 60 healthy children. The blood has been taken fasten from peripheral vein. The VEGF was checked by ELISA in all children.

Results: The VEGF mean levels were highest in children with obesity 356.55 pg/ml (S.D. 169.44 pg/ml). In children with DM1 mean VEGF was 254.88 pg/ml (S.D. 167.89 pg/ml). The lowest levels of VEGF was observed in group healthy children: mean 188.75 pg/ml (S.D. 144.88 pg/ml). We noticed statistic significant differences between group of diabetic and obese children and healthy children. The results were correlated with BMI.

Conclusion: High levels in peripheral blood – marker of vasculogenesis VEGF is more connected with obesity then with diabetes type 1.