Abstract
Background: The expression of specific growth factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF) beta-1 is of importance during brain development and in the pathogenesis of neuro-degenerative disorders. Aims: To study VEGF and TGF beta-1 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of neonates with posthemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. To determine the interference of inflammatory cytokine interaction with the expression of VEGF and TGFbeta-1, IL-6 and IL-10 CSF concentrations were measured.
Methods: 18 neonates (median birth weight 676g, median gestational age 25+0 weeks) with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHHC) undergoing serial reservoir puncture, and 9 neonates (median birth weight 2750g, median gestational age 34+3 weeks) with congenital non-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (CHC) undergoing first shunt surgery, were included in the study. CSF samples of 11 neonates (median birth weight 2230g, median gestational age 33+4 weeks) with lumbar puncture for the exclusion of meningitis served as controls. VEGF, TGFbeta-1, IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations in the CSF were measured by ELISA technique.
Results: VEGF concentrations in the CSF of patients with PHHC were significantly higher (median 377pg/ml, range 101–1301pg/ml) when compared to patients with CHC (median 66pg/ml, range 3–1991; p< 0.001) and controls (median 2pg/ml, range 0–12pg/ml, p<0.0001). TGFbeta-1 CSF concentrations did not differ from control infants in all groups. Median IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations in the CSF were found to be low in all patient groups.
Conclusion: Increased release of VEGF in the CSF of neonates with PHHC and CHC may serve as an indicator of brain injury from progressive ventricular dilatation. TGFbeta-1 CSF concentrations are not elevated in the phase of acute fibro proliferative reactions in patients with PHHC.
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Heep, A., Bartmann, P., Wagner, B. et al. 107 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 in The CSF of Neonates with Posthemorrhagic and Non-Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus. Pediatr Res 56, 482 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200409000-00130
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200409000-00130
