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Background: Adipose tissue produces both vascular growth factors and inhibitors. Since obesity is associated with expansion of the capillary bed in regional adipose depots the balance between these factors may favor angiogenesis., Objective: To investigate the relationship between body mass index and serum concentrations of vascular growth factors in human subjects., Methods: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF-C, VEGF-D, soluble VEGF receptor-2 (sVEGFr2), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), angiopoietin-2, angiogenin and endostatin concentrations were measured in serum collected from 58 lean (24 males, 34 female, mean BMI, 22.2+/-0.3) and 42 overweight and obese (16 males and 26 females, mean BMI, 33.5+/-1.2) subjects after an overnight fast., Results: Sexual dimorphism was apparent in the serum concentrations of VEGF-C, VEFG-D and angiopoietin-2 with significantly higher levels in female compared to male subject. VEGF, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, soluble VEGF receptor-2, angiopoietin-2, angiogenin and endostatin but not HGF were significantly elevated in overweight and obese subjects. Positive correlations between BMI and the serum concentrations of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, sVEGF-R2, angiopoietin-2, angiogenin and endostatin were observed even after adjustment for gender and age., Conclusions: Increased levels of vascular growth factors as well as the angiogenesis inhibitor endostatin are present in overweight and obese subjects and may contribute to previously documented increased risk of metastatic disease in obese subjects with cancer.

Objective: Adipose tIssue regulates insulin sensitivity via the circulating adipocytokines, leptin, resistin and adiponectin. The objective of this study was to compare the levels of resistin, adiponectin and leptin in lean and obese subjects and determine the relationship between circulating adipocytokines and insulin resistance., Methods: We examined plasma levels of resistin, adiponectin and leptin in 17 lean subjects with a mean body mass index (BMI) of approximately 23 and 34 non-diabetic obese individuals with a mean BMI approximately 33. Insulin resistance was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment ratio (HOMA-R) formula derived from fasting insulin and glucose levels., Results: Resistin levels were not significantly different between the two groups but were significantly higher in women compared with men, 35.4+/-6.5 (s.e.) vs 15.4+/-2.9 microg/L, P<0.01. Resistin did not correlate with BMI but did significantly correlate with HOMA-R, P<0.01, and this correlation remained significant after adjustment for gender and BMI. Adiponectin levels were significantly lower in obese compared with lean subjects, P<0.005, and higher in women, P<0.001, but showed no significant correlation with HOMA-R. Leptin levels were significantly higher in obese subjects and women and correlated with HOMA-R and resistin., Discussion: In this small group of patients we demonstrated that insulin resistance correlated most strongly with leptin levels. A significant correlation between resistin levels and insulin resistance was also observed. Although a similar trend was apparent for adiponectin, the correlation with insulin resistance did not achieve statistical significance.