The Diminished Expression of Proangiogenic Growth Factors and Their Receptors in Gastric Ulcers of Cirrhotic Patients |
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Authors: | Jiing-Chyuan Luo Yen-Ling Peng Ming-Chih Hou Kuang-Wei Huang Hui-Chun Huang Ying-Wen Wang Han-Chieh Lin Fa-Yauh Lee Ching-Liang Lu |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.; 2. Division of Gastroenterology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.; 3. Endoscopic Center for Diagnosis and Therapy, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.; 4. Healthcare and Management Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.; University of Navarra School of Medicine and Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Spain, |
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Abstract: | ObjectivesThe pathogenesis of the higher occurrence of peptic ulcer disease in cirrhotic patients is complex. Platelets can stimulate angiogenesis and promote gastric ulcer healing. We compared the expressions of proangiogenic growth factors and their receptors in the gastric ulcer margin between cirrhotic patients with thrombocytopenia and those of non-cirrhotic patients to elucidate possible mechanisms.MethodsEligible cirrhotic patients (n = 55) and non-cirrhotic patients (n = 55) who had gastric ulcers were enrolled. Mucosa from the gastric ulcer margin and non-ulcer areas were sampled and the mRNA expressions of the proangiogenic growth factors (vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF], platelet derived growth factor PDGF], basic fibroblast growth factor bFGF]) and their receptors (VEGFR1, VEGFR2, PDGFRA, PDGFRB, FGFR1, FGFR2) were measured and compared. Platelet count and the expressions of these growth factors and their receptors were correlated with each other.ResultsThe two groups were comparable in terms of gender, ulcer size and infection rate of Helicobacter pylori. However, the cirrhotic group were younger in age, had a lower platelet count than those in the non-cirrhotic group (p<0.05). The cirrhotic patients had diminished mRNA expressions of PDGFB, VEGFR2, FGFR1, and FGFR2 in gastric ulcer margin when compared with those of the non-cirrhotic patients (p<0.05). Diminished expressions of PDGFB and VEGFR2, FGFR1, and FGFR2 were well correlated with the degree of thrombocytopenia in these cirrhotic patients (ρ>0.5, p<0.001).ConclusionsOur findings implied that diminished activity of proangiogenic factors and their receptors may contribute to the pathogenesis of gastric ulcers in cirrhotic patients. |
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