Expression of platelet-derived growth factor in the vascular walls of patients with lower extremity arterial occlusive disease

The aim of the present study was to quantitatively analyze the expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A and PDGF-B in the vascular walls of patients with lower extremity arterial occlusive disease (LEAOD). The expression levels of PDGF-A and PDGF-B in the lower extremity arteries of 19 LEAOD patients (case group) and three healthy subjects (control group) was determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Intergroup comparisons revealed that the relative mRNA expression levels were higher in the case group, as compared with the control group, for PDGF-A (34.38 +/- 5.80 vs. 21.94 +/- 1.05; P<0.05) and PDGF-B (33.95 +/- 5.92 vs. 24.15 +/- 3.12; P<0.05). In addition, the expression of PDGF-A revealed a positive linear correlation with the expression of PDGF-B (P<0.05). Therefore, the expression levels of PDGF-A and PDGF-B were found to be higher in the vascular walls of LEAOD patients, while the expression of PDGF-A was found to correlate with the expression of PDGF-B. A significant increase in the expression levlels of PDGF-A and PDGF-B were observed in the vascular walls of patients with LEAOD, and the expression of PDGF-A was associated with the expression of PDGF-B.