Tag Archives: vascular endothelial growth factor
Angiotensin, vascular endothelial growth factor and caspase-3 levels in blood serum of smoking students
I. A. A. K. Al-Samarai1, A. J. Al Samer1, H. N. Mohammed2
1Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Applied Science,
University of Samarra, Saleh Aden, Iraq;
2Department of Biotechnology, College of Applied Science,
University of Samarra, Saleh Aden, Iraq;
e-mail: israa.a@uosamarra.edu.iq
Received: 18 July 2025; Revised: 18 September 2025;
Accepted: 28 November 2025; Available on-line: 2025
Smoking cigarettes is currently considered a widespread behavioral habit among university students due to psychological, social, and behavioral factors. Smoking is believed to impair renin-angiotensin system, blood pressure regulation, endothelial function, and cells viability, particularly in the lungs or blood vessels. The study aimed to assess the level of angiotensin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), caspase-3 and the activity of antioxidants glutathione S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the blood serum of students at Samarra University (Iraq). The study lasted from 20/2 /2025 to 20/4/ 2025 and involved 100 male students aged 18-28 years. The first group consisted of 30 nonsmoker students and the second included 70 smoker students, whose daily cigarette consumption ranged between 60-100 cigarettes. The results showed a significant increase in angiotensin, VEGF and caspase-3 levels, measured by ELISA, and a significant decrease in GST and SOD activity in the blood serum of smoker students compared to nonsmokers. A high negative correlation between angiotensin, GST and SOD activity in both smokers and nonsmokers, and a positive correlation between angiotensin and caspase-3 levels in smokers were observed, indicating the promising use of studied parameters as indicators of adverse effects caused by smoking.
Profiling of metabolic biomarkers in the serum of prostate cancer patients
F. Ali1, S. Akram1, S. Niaz1,2, N. Wajid1
1Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) & Centre for Research In Molecular Medicine (CRIMM), The University of Lahore, Raiwind Road Lahore, Pakistan;
2Social Security Hospital Multan Chungi, Multan Road, Lahore;
e-mail: Fatima.ali@imbb.uol.edu.pk; fatemei.ali@gmail.com
Received: 26 July 2019; Accepted: 29 November 2019
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the major cause of the death of men population globally. Multiple factors are involved in the initiation and progression of PCa. This study aimed to evaluate different metabolic parameters in the serum of PCa patients. Males of 50 years and above age with the recent diagnosis of PCa (digital rectal examination, and elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level) were included in the study. Glucose and serum electrolytes level, lactate dehydrogenase activity, parameters of lipid metabolism and liver and kidney functioning were measured on a fully automated analyzer using standard reagent kits. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring MDA, CAT, GSH, and SOD in serum. Detection of C-reactive protein (CRP), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was performed by immunoassay. It was shown that serum glucose and HDL levels were lower while total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in PCa group than in the control group. PCa patients had an elevated level of liver and kidney functional markers. Comparison of the oxidative stress markers in patient and control groups showed significant difference. It was detected that serum levels of CRP, IGF-1 and VEGF were significantly higher in PCa group, compared the control to group (P < 0.05). Low level of glucose and dyslipidemia indices in prostate cancer patients indicated metabolic changes and demonstrated the importance of multiple parameters analysis (free PSA, dyslipidemia, VEGF, IGF-1, CRP, and oxidative stress markers) for early PCa diagnostics.