Serum VEGF and b-FGF profiles after tension-free or conventional hernioplasty.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Angiogenesis is strongly influenced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), whose production is also regulated by interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-10. The aim of this study was to evaluate the modifications of serum VEGF, b-FGF, IFN-gamma and IL-10 levels in patients with inguinal hernia undergoing hernioplasty with the Lichtenstein technique (LH) using polypropylene mesh or with Bassini open conventional inguinal hernia repair (BH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Randomly, 16 patients underwent BH, and 16 were treated with the LH technique using polypropylene mesh. Blood samples were collected 24 h prior to surgery and then 6, 24, 48 and 168 h postoperatively. The serum concentrations of VEGF, b-FGF, IFN-gamma and IL-10 were evaluated.

RESULTS:

In BH patients, a peak of VEGF synthesis at 6 h with a normalization of this parameter 24 h after surgery has been observed. In the same subjects, b-FGF synthesis increased after surgery reaching significant levels 48 h later. On the contrary, in LH patients, a decrease in the serum VEGF and b-FGF concentrations was detected after surgery and their increase afterwards. IL-10 was increased in both groups 6 h after operation and declined to preoperative levels 24 h afterwards. IFN-gamma enhanced in LH patients 6 h after surgery, whereas no modifications were detected in BH subjects.

CONCLUSIONS:

This preliminary study shows that VEGF and b-FGF modifications, associated with alterations of cytokine secretion, are detectable in human undergoing hernioplasty, and suggests that they could somehow influence in the wound-healing process.

• Authors: Gaetano Di Vita, Rosalia Patti, Pietro D'Agostino, Francesco Arcoleo, Giuseppe Caruso, Matteo Arcara, Valentina Davì, Enrico Cillari
• Journal: Langenbeck's archives of surgery (Langenbecks Arch Surg) Vol. 390 Issue 6 Pg. 528-33 (Nov 2005) ISSN: 1435-2443 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 16180047 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
• Interleukin-10
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Adult
• Analysis of Variance
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (blood)
• Hernia, Inguinal (blood, surgery)
• Humans
• Interferon-gamma (blood)
• Interleukin-10 (blood)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Statistics, Nonparametric
• Surgical Mesh (adverse effects)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (blood)