Background
Many in vitro studies have shown that adenosine (Ado) can induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein expression and stimulate endothelial proliferation. In the present study, we seek to determine whether Ado can increase circulating levels of VEGF protein in the intact human.
Methods
Five outpatients 49.3 ยฑ 6.7 years of age and weighing 88.2 ยฑ 8.5 kg were selected. They were given a 6 min intravenous infusion of Ado (0.14 mg kg^-1^ min^-1^) in conjunction with sestamibi myocardial perfusion scans. Mean blood pressure (MBP, calculated from systolic and diastolic values) and heart rate (HR) were determined before Ado infusion and every 2 min for the next 10 min. Plasma VEGF concentrations (ELISA) were determined immediately before Ado infusion and 1 h, 2 h, and 8 h after the infusion.
Results
Plasma VEGF concentration averaged 20.3 ยฑ 2.0 pg ml^-1^ prior to Ado infusion, and increased to 62.7 ยฑ 18.1 pg ml^-1^ at 1 h post- infusion (p < 0.01). VEGF plasma concentration returned to basal levels 2 h after infusion (23.3 ยฑ 3.4 pg ml^-1^). MBP averaged 116 ยฑ 7 mmHg and heart rate averaged 70 ยฑ 7 prior to Ado infusion. MBP decreased by a maximum of ~22% and HR increased by a maximum of ~17% during the infusion.
Conclusion
We conclude from these preliminary findings that intravenous infusion of adenosine can increase plasma levels of VEGF in humans.