Plasma VEGF as a marker of therapy in patients with chronic venous disease treated with oral micronised flavonoid fraction - a pilot study.

AIM

to study the effect on plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels of oral purified flavonoid fraction treatment for sixty days in patients with chronic venous disease (CVD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

twenty patients <> (clinical stage 2-4) with chronic venous disease were included. Duplex ultrasonography was used to assess the venous disease. Patients were treated for 60 days with Daflon(R) 500 mg twice daily. Blood was collected from a foot vein immediately before starting treatment and within one week of stopping treatment. Plasma VEGF levels were determined using a sandwich ELISA method.

RESULTS

VEGF levels decreased in patients with stage C4 CVD after treatment with purified micronised flavonoid fraction treatment (98 pg/ml to 57 pg/ml). The levels of VEGF in patients with skin changes were significantly higher (98 pg/ml) than those with normal skin (9 pg/ml p=<0.001 Wilcoxon).

CONCLUSIONS

plasma VEGF levels were much higher in patients who have skin changes of CVD. Plasma VEGF protein decreases in patients with CVD-induced dermatologic changes following treatment with purified micronised flavonoid fraction.