Relationship between serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 with biochemical markers of bone disease in multiple myeloma.

Background: Multiple myeloma is characterized by accumulation of plasma cells in the bone marrow, with osteolysis and increased marrow angiogenesis. We studied molecules involved in angiogenesis (MMP-9, HGF, VEGF) in relation to disease stage, extent of bone destruction, and markers of bone turnover (Ntx and PICP).

Methods: MMP-9, HGF, VEGF were measured in the serum of 42 newly diagnosed myeloma patients and 24 controls with commercial ELISA kits.

Systemic levels of interleukin-6 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with multiple myeloma may be useful as prognostic indexes of bone disease.

Multiple myeloma is characterized by accelerated production of the proteolytic enzyme matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. We hypothesized that myeloma-produced MMP-9 may influence the rate of bone turnover in a paracrine manner. Thus, we examined the correlations of MMP-9 levels, disease severity, and bone turnover rate as evaluated by markers of bone formation and resorption.

Serum angiogenin in inflammatory bowel disease.

Angiogenesis-promoting cytokines have been suggested to play an important role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) since they promote inflammation by increasing vascular permeability and mediate tissue repair by activating fibroblasts. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum levels of angiogenin, a potent angiogenic factor, in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Angiogenin serum levels were measured in 154 IBD patients (78 UC and 76 CD), in 18 cases with other causes of intestinal inflammation, and in 84 matched healthy controls using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.