Vascular endothelial growth factor's angiogenic role in tumor growth and metastasis

Abstract

Angiogenesis and vasculogenesis are two very important processes in the development and maintenance of mammalian health. All structures of the body (human or animal) need certain essential elements in order to live thrive and maintain. The angiogenic role is to supply and support tissue with ample vasculature, thus providing a route of access for the transportation of essential nutrients and the removal of waste in a sustained fashion. Just like normal tissue, tumorogenic tissue is no exception; neoplastic tissue has the same nutritional requirements which must be supported via vascularization. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to be a key mediating factor in the underlying cascade of chemical events leading to angiogenesis, which makes it a very important precursor molecule for early neoplasia detection. The overall purpose of this study was to establish circulatory baseline VEGF levels in healthy dog models. Baseline levels of VEGF in plasma will aid as a model in detection, comparison and evaluating of disease progression in sled dogs. There were significant differences between male and female dogs and exercising males and exercising females. A significant factor affecting baseline levels was gender. In addition there is some data which suggest that breed may playa role in baseline VEGF levels.