American Gastroenterological Association

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 6 views

The Influence of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Serum in the Disease of the Non-Alcoholic Liver

Introduction

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a growing concern in the world of health, particularly in line with the increasing number of obesity cases globally. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is not fully understood, but research suggests that angiogenesis, the process of forming new blood vessels, plays a crucial role in the development of this disease. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is one of the main factors involved in the angiogenesis process. This study aims to examine the relationship between serum VEGF levels and NAFLD, with the hope of providing a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease.

Background

The prevalence of NAFLD has increased significantly, in line with the epidemic of obesity that has hit various parts of the world. Previous research has shown that VEGF levels affect the progression of NAFLD, although the results obtained are still varied and sometimes contradictory. VEGF is a protein that plays an important role in the angiogenesis process by stimulating the formation of new blood vessels, making it a focus of research in understanding the pathological mechanism that occurs in NAFLD.

Research Purposes

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between serum VEGF and NAFLD levels in patients under study, and understand the difference in VEGF levels between NAFLD patients and healthy controls. By examining the relationship between serum VEGF levels and NAFLD, this study hopes to provide a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of NAFLD and identify potential targets for new therapy development.

Method

This study was conducted with a cross-sectional method involving 40 NAFLD patients and 40 healthy controls treated at the Adam Malik General Hospital Medan between May and July 2018. The diagnosis of NAFLD was established based on abdominal ultrasonographic examination, which indicated liver steatosis and ruled out other possible causes of liver damage. Serum VEGF levels of each group were measured using a Quantikine Human VEGF-ELISA Kit, while data analysis was carried out with SPSS version 22, where statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

From the results of the study, it was found that of the 40 NAFLD patients, 18 people (45%) were men with an average age of 44.6 years. The serum VEGF median level in NAFLD patients recorded 315.8 pg/ml, which showed a significant difference compared to the control group, which had an average level of 214.75 pg/ml (p = 0.002). In addition, there were significant differences in the levels of AST, ALT, Fasting Glucose, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL, and LDL between the two groups (p < 0.001). However, VEGF levels did not show significant differences based on age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) in the group of NAFLD patients.

Additional Analysis and Explanation

The above findings show that an increase in serum VEGF levels in NAFLD patients can be associated with angiogenesis processes that occur in the development of the disease. VEGF may play a role in worsening the liver by increasing blood flow to fat tissue that accumulates in the liver. Increased levels of serum VEGF may also be the body's response to damage to liver cells that occur due to fat accumulation.

Further understanding of the mechanism of VEGF work in the NAFLD context can open up opportunities for more effective new therapy development. By targeting VEGF and angiogenesis pathways, maybe we can increase clinical outcomes for patients suffering from NAFLD.

Conclusion

This study not only adds information about the role of VEGF in NAFLD but also opens a broader discussion about the importance of controlling risk factors related to obesity and the development of liver disease. The findings of this study suggest that VEGF levels may be a potential biomarker for NAFLD, and that targeting VEGF and angiogenesis pathways may be a promising approach for new therapy development.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research is needed to confirm the role of VEGF in NAFLD and to explore the potential of VEGF as a biomarker for the disease.
Targeting VEGF and angiogenesis pathways may be a promising approach for new therapy development in NAFLD.
Controlling risk factors related to obesity and the development of liver disease is essential for preventing and managing NAFLD.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The sample size was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
The study was conducted in a single hospital, which may limit the representativeness of the sample.
The study did not control for other potential confounding variables that may affect the relationship between VEGF levels and NAFLD.

Future Directions

Future studies should aim to confirm the role of VEGF in NAFLD and to explore the potential of VEGF as a biomarker for the disease. Additionally, studies should aim to investigate the effects of targeting VEGF and angiogenesis pathways on clinical outcomes in NAFLD patients.

References

American Gastroenterological Association. (2019). Clinical Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2020). Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
Kowdley, K. V. (2018). Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 52(6), 441-448.
Targher, G. (2019). Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Lipidology, 13(3), 341-353.
Younossi, Z. M. (2018). Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 52(6), 449-458.
Q&A: Understanding the Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Q: What is Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and how does it relate to NAFLD?

A: VEGF is a protein that plays a crucial role in angiogenesis, the process of forming new blood vessels. In the context of NAFLD, VEGF has been shown to contribute to the development and progression of the disease by promoting the formation of new blood vessels in the liver.

Q: What are the symptoms of NAFLD, and how is it diagnosed?

A: The symptoms of NAFLD can be non-specific and may include fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal pain. NAFLD is typically diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, medical history, and imaging tests such as ultrasound or CT scans.

Q: What are the risk factors for developing NAFLD?

A: The risk factors for developing NAFLD include obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a family history of NAFLD.

Q: How does VEGF contribute to the development of NAFLD?

A: VEGF promotes the formation of new blood vessels in the liver, which can lead to increased blood flow and inflammation in the liver. This can contribute to the development of NAFLD and its progression to more severe forms of the disease.

Q: Can VEGF levels be used as a biomarker for NAFLD?

A: Yes, VEGF levels have been shown to be elevated in patients with NAFLD, and may be used as a biomarker for the disease. However, further research is needed to confirm the accuracy and reliability of VEGF as a biomarker for NAFLD.

Q: What are the potential treatment options for NAFLD?

A: The potential treatment options for NAFLD include lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, exercise, and a healthy diet, as well as medications such as statins and fibrates to lower cholesterol and triglycerides.

Q: Can VEGF be targeted as a potential therapeutic approach for NAFLD?

A: Yes, targeting VEGF and angiogenesis pathways may be a promising approach for new therapy development in NAFLD. Further research is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of this approach.

Q: What are the potential complications of NAFLD?

A: The potential complications of NAFLD include liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

Q: Can NAFLD be prevented?

A: Yes, NAFLD can be prevented through lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, exercise, and a healthy diet, as well as avoiding risk factors such as obesity and insulin resistance.

Q: What is the prognosis for patients with NAFLD?

A: The prognosis for patients with NAFLD depends on the severity of the disease and the presence of complications. With early diagnosis and treatment, patients with NAFLD can improve their liver function and reduce their risk of complications.

Q: Where can patients with NAFLD seek treatment?

A: Patients with NAFLD can seek treatment from a primary care physician, gastroenterologist, or hepatologist. In some cases, patients may need to see a specialist such as a liver transplant surgeon.

Q: What are the current research directions for NAFLD?

A: The current research directions for NAFLD include investigating the role of VEGF and angiogenesis pathways in the development and progression of the disease, as well as exploring new therapeutic approaches such as targeting VEGF and angiogenesis pathways.

Q: What are the potential future directions for NAFLD research?

A: The potential future directions for NAFLD research include developing new biomarkers for the disease, identifying new therapeutic targets, and exploring the use of stem cells and gene therapy to treat NAFLD.