Biodiversity of the Adipocyte-Derived Hormone, Leptin

The adipocyte derived hormone leptin is known for its pivotal role in the regulation of a variety of physiological functions mainly associated with metabolism and energy homeostasis. One of the major functions of leptin is pertain with its angiogenic induction in support of organ development as well as under pathological conditions such as atherosclerosis and cancer. Leptin is a well-known pro-angiogenic growth factor which exerts its role through Ob-R receptor present on endothelial cells. The therapeutic application of leptin is based on its potential to maintain various functions at pathological conditions. In this book chapter, the multi-diversity potentials of leptin are discussed in detail.

Effects of exercise training with weight loss on skeletal muscle expression of angiogenic factors in overweight and obese older men

Low skeletal muscle capillarization is associated with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT); however, aerobic exercise training with weight loss (AEX+WL) increases skeletal muscle capillarization and improves glucose tolerance in adults with IGT. Given that expression of angiogenic growth factors mediates skeletal muscle capillarization, we sought to determine whether angiogenic growth factor levels are associated with low capillarization in those with IGT vs. normal glucose tolerance (NGT), or to the benefits of AEX+WL in both groups. Sixteen overweight or obese men 50-75 years of age completed 6 months of AEX+WL with oral glucose tolerance tests and vastus lateralis muscle biopsies for measurement of muscle vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor-1 (sFlt-1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). At baseline, all growth factor levels were numerically lower in IGT compared with NGT, but these did not reach statistical significance (P=0.06-0.33). Following AEX+WL, aerobic capacity (VO2max) increased by 16%, while body weight and 120-minute postprandial glucose levels decreased by 10% and 15%, respectively (P ≤ 0.001 for all). There was a main effect of AEX+WL to increase VEGF (0.095±0.016 vs. 0.114±0.018 ng/µg, P<0.05), PlGF (0.004±0.001 vs. 0.005±0.001 ng/µg, P<0.05), and sFlt-1 (0.216±0.029 vs. 0.264±0.036 ng/µg, P<0.01) with overall increases driven by the IGT group. These results suggest that 6 months of AEX+WL increases skeletal muscle angiogenic growth factor levels in older, obese adults with IGT and NGT, which may contribute to our previous findings that AEX+WL increases capillarization to improve glucose tolerance in those with IGT.

The correlation of MMP-9 and VEGF expressions towards nasopharyngeal angiofibroma clinical stage

ABSTRACTBackground: Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (NA) is a benign tumor with a destructive tendency, commonly affecting male adolescents. The management of NA could become quite a challenge because it is highly vascularized, and localized in an intricate area. Recently, the role of molecular biology in the development of NA is the research target for a better prognosis. Purpose: To analyze the correlation between expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with clinical stage, and the correlation between these two markers and nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. Method: This was a descriptive analytic study using cross sectional method. Twenty-four postoperative NA cases were categorized into early and advance stages according to Chandler classification. Evaluation of MMP-9 and VEGF expressions were examined by immunohistochemistry. The correlation of VEGF and MMP-9 towards clinical stage, was analyzed using chi-square or Fisher’s exact test (α = 0.05). Result: No significant correlation between MMP-9 expression and clinical stage (p = 0.204), whereas VEGF expressions and clinical-stage showed a significant correlation (p<0.001). Statistical analysis on correlation between MMP-9 and VEGF expressions showed no significant result (p = 0.099). Discussion: MMP-9 produces pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. MMP-9 expression does not affect the growth of NA. VEGF is a pro-angiogenic growth factor that has the most important role in tumor pathophysiology and induces vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. VEGF secretion is affected by pro-angiogenic and anti- angiogenic activities of MMP-9. Conclusion: VEGF expression is related to the clinical stage of NA. Anti-VEGF could be further investigated as an alternative treatment for NA. ABSTRAKLatar belakang: Angiofibroma nasofaring (AN) merupakan suatu tumor jinak dengan kecenderungan destruktif. Penatalaksanaan AN merupakan tantangan karena banyaknya vaskularisasi, anatomi yang kompleks dan terjadi pada usia muda. Peranan biologi molekular pada pertumbuhan AN menjadi sasaran penelitian untuk mencari prognosis yang lebih baik. Tujuan: Mengetahui hubungan ekspresi matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) dan vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) dengan stadium klinis, dan hubungan kedua marker tersebut pada AN. Metode: Studi analitik deskriptif menggunakan metode potong lintang. Dua puluh empat kasus AN pasca operasi, ditentukan stadiumnya berdasarkan klasifikasi Chandler, dan dikelompokkan menjadi kategori awal dan lanjut. Evaluasi ekspresi VEGF dan MMP-9 diperiksa secara immunohistokimia. Korelasi VEGF dan MMP-9 terhadap stadium klinis dianalisis menggunakan Chi-square atau Fisher’s exact test (α =0.05). Hasil: Tidak terdapat hubungan yang bermakna antara ekspresi MMP-9 terhadap stadium klinis (p = 0,204), sebaliknya ekspresi VEGF terhadap stadium klinis menunjukkan hubungan yang bermakna (p < 0,001). Analisis statistik antara hubungan MMP-9 dan VEGF menunjukkan hasil tidak bermakna (p = 0,099). Diskusi: MMP-9 memiliki kemampuan menghasilkan faktor-faktor pro-angiogenik, dan anti-angiogenik, sehingga ekspresi MMP-9 tidak mempengaruhi pertumbuhan angiofibroma nasofaring. VEGF merupakan pro-angiogenic growth factor yang memiliki peranan paling penting dalam patofisiologi tumor dan menginduksi vaskulogenesis dan angiogenesis. Sekresi VEGF dipengaruhi oleh kemampuan pro-angiogenik dan anti-angiogenik dari MMP-9. Kesimpulan: Ekspresi VEGF berhubungan dengan stadium klinis AN. Anti-VEGF dapat diteliti lebih lanjut sebagai alternatif pengobatan pada AN.