Dynamic change of serum vascular endothelial growthfactor and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage treated by mannitol and correlation between encephaledema and these indexes

  Objective  To explore the dynamic change of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage (AICH) treated by mannitol and correlation between encephaledema and these indexes.

  Methods  Sixty patients with AICH were enrolled as cerebral hemorrhage group, and 30 healthy subjects were selected as control group. The cerebral hemorrhage group was given routine medical treatments such as mannitol reduction of intracranial pressure, anti-infection and nutritional support as well as. The levels of VEGF and TNF-α were measured at the time points of hospital admission, 12 hours and 1, 3 and 10 days after admission in the cerebral hemorrhage group, and results were compared with control group. Cranial CT was used to detect brain edema condition at each time point in cerebral hemorrhage group, and the correlation between serum levels of VEGF, TNF-α and brain edema was analyzed.

  Results  The levels of VEGF, TNF-α in cerebral hemorrhage group were significantly higher than those in control group at the time points of hospital admission, 12 hours and 1, 3 and 10 days after admission (P < 0.05). In cerebral hemorrhage group, serum levels of VEGF and TNF-α at 3 days after admission were significantly higher than those at the time points of hospital admission, 12 hours and 1, 10 days after admission (P < 0.05). In the AICH patients, the absolute brain edema volume and relative brain edema volume at 3 days after admission were significantly higher than those at hospital admission, 12 hours, and 1, 10 days after admission (P < 0.05). Spearman analysis showed that serum levels of VEGF and TNF-α were positively correlated with absolute brain edema volume and relative brain edema volume in AICH patients (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  The serum levels of VEGF and TNF-α are significantly over-expressed in AICH patients. Serum levels of VEGF and TNF-α are positively correlated with absolute brain edema volume and relative brain edema volume in AICH patients.