Role of vascular endothelial growth factor in women with PCO and PCOS: a systematic review
Received 23 June 2009; received in revised form 11 August 2009; accepted 3 December 2009. published online 16 February 2010.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the strategic role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to critically review the published trials that have evaluated VEGF in women with PCOS. An electronic database search of Medline, Embase, Cinahl and Cochrane library was conducted. Studies were included if they evaluated VEGF either in the circulation or in granulosa lutein cell culture media in in-vitro laboratory studies of women with a polycystic ovary (PCO) or PCOS. Studies analysing immunohistochemical expression of VEGF in PCO were also included. This review concluded that VEGF may have a strategic role in the pathophysiology of PCOS and is the key mediator in the pathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in women undergoing assisted reproductive procedures. Its role is perhaps not singular and several other factors such as the bioavailability of its soluble receptor sFlt-1 and a multidisciplinary orchestration of other cytokines and growth factors may be involved in the pathophysiology of PCOS and OHSS.
Declaration: The authors report no financial or commercial conflicts of interest.
aThe Royal Free and University College Medical School, University College London, Gower Street, London, UK
bUniversity College London, Gower Street, London, UK
Corresponding author.
Panagiotis Peitsidis MD, PhD completed his training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Athens, Greece. Since 2008, he has been working as a Clinical Research Fellow in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The Royal Free Hospital in London, UK. His research interests include fetal medicine, ultrasound, colposcopy, and gynecological oncology. He is a referee for several medical journals and has published extensively. He recently received his PhD from the University of Athens on prognostic factors in patients with Fallopian tube cancer.
1 Both authors contributed equally to this review.
ABSTRACT
Panagiotis Peitsidis MD, PhD completed his training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Athens, Greece. Since 2008, he has been working as a Clinical Research Fellow in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The Royal Free Hospital in London, UK. His research interests include fetal medicine, ultrasound, colposcopy, and gynecological oncology. He is a referee for several medical journals and has published extensively. He recently received his PhD from the University of Athens on prognostic factors in patients with Fallopian tube cancer.