VEGF-A165b
Atherosclerosis, the laying down of fibrofatty deposits on the insides of blood vessels, is a common disease seen in patients in most countries. The risk factors are well known and include;
TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS
SMOKING
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
POOR DIETS HIGH IN SATURATED FAT, SALT & SUGAR
HIGH CHOLESTEROL LEVELS
SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE
OBESITY & HIGH BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)
The consequence of atherosclerosis is blockage in the blood vessels and a lack of blood flow to tissues, such as muscles. Once the blood flow is reduced or stopped altogether, the tissue can not stay healthy as it is deprived of oxygen and nutrients. Depending on where the blockage occurs results in different consequences, such as heart attacks, strokes, foot ulcers leading to amputation, kidney disease.
The production of new blood vessels to bypass the blocked vessel can occur and has been shown to be dependant on the balance of two isoforms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A; namely VEGF165a and VEG165b.
If the balance is altered to high levels of VEGF165b the production of new vessels to bypass blocked vessels, called collateralisation, is reduced or is not able to happen.
There are a number of surgical treatments that can be carried out, such as angioplasty and stenting; these are not suitable for patients such as diabetics with ulcers on their feet.
Importantly, none of the current approaches regulate the control switch of angiogenesis – the pro- and anti-angiogenesis VEGF balance.