Serum vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin-2 are associated with the severity of systemic inflammation rather than the presence of hemoptysis in patients with inflammatory lung disease.

OBJECTIVE

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) are major mediators of angiogenesis and are induced by tissue inflammation and hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether serum VEGF and Ang-2 are associated with the presence of hemoptysis and the extent of systemic inflammation in patients with inflammatory lung diseases.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 52 patients with inflammatory lung disease between June 2008 and October 2009.

RESULTS

The median values of VEGF and Ang-2 were 436 pg/mL and 2383 pg/mL, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between serum Ang-2 and VEGF levels. VEGF levels were not significantly different according to the presence of hemoptysis. C-reactive protein (CRP) and Ang-2 level were significantly higher in patients without hemoptysis (n=26) than in those with hemoptysis (n=26; p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). CRP and arterial oxygen tension (PaO₂) were significantly correlated with both serum VEGF (p=0.032 and p=0.016, respectively) and Ang-2 levels (p<0.001 and p=0.041, respectively), after adjusting for other factors. Age and the absence of hemoptysis were factors correlated with serum Ang-2 levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that serum VEGF and Ang-2 levels are associated with PaO₂ and the severity of inflammation rather than the presence of hemoptysis in patients with inflammatory lung diseases. Thus, hemoptysis may not be mediated by increased serum levels of VEGF and Ang-2 in patients with inflammatory lung diseases, and further studies are required to determine the mechanisms of hemoptysis.