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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ( Vegf )

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. Introduction

Behc¸et’s disease is a systemic vasculitis of unknown origin, characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, uveitis, vas-cular manifestations and other multisystem affections [1,2]. Vasculitis causes endothelial destruction and thrombosis [3]. Inflammatory thrombosis is well-known in BD [4]. It has been recognized that vascular endothelial dysfunction occurs in BD and plays a substantial role in the vascular lesions. The path-ogenic mechanism is uncertain [5].

There are several identified vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family members: VEGF (VEGF-A), VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D and placenta growth factor which are key regulators of physiological and pathological vasculogene-sis, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, hematopoiesis and vascu-lar permeability. VEGF is essential for angiogenesis and inflammation that are pathophysiologic factors of BD [6]. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent cytokine that modulates angiogenesis and vasculogenesis by acting as an essential mitogen for vascular endothelial cells [7]. It is an important factor in the progression of atherosclerosis [8].

Common carotid intima-media thickness is an endothelial cell dysfunction parameter that may be associated with athero-sclerosis [9]. Its thickness is a known good predictor of cardio-vascular accidents in the general population [10] and has been reported in the patients with different rheumatic diseases as a strong predictor of cardiovascular events [11]. The

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