Serum vascular endothelial growth factor as a possible indicator of arterial reactivity in postmenopausal women.

Objective: To determine whether serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration is correlated with arterial reactivity in postmenopausal women.

Methods: An observational study was conducted on 24 postmenopausal women who did not receive any hormone therapy in the 6 months preceding the study and had no pre-existing cardiovascular diseases or cardiovascular risk factors. Serum samples were obtained from all participants and analyzed for VEGF concentrations. Arterial reactivity was assessed by the measurement of endothelium-dependent dilatation and endothelium-independent dilatation of the brachial artery, using color duplex Doppler ultrasound.

Results: The study population was aged 50.8 years on average, with about 2 years of menopause. Serum VEGF concentration in postmenopausal women was significantly correlated with both endothelium-dependent dilatation (r = -0.66, p < 0.01) and endothelium-independent dilatation (r = -0.65, p < 0.01) of the brachial artery.

Conclusions: Serum VEGF level may be a potential indicator of arterial reactivity in postmenopausal women.