OBJECTIVETo discuss whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the peripheral blood can reflect the biological activities of pituitary adenomas.

METHODSThe concentrations of VEGF in peripheral blood were measured with ELISA in 203 patients with pituitary adenomas, 22 patients with pituitary hyperplasia, 7 patients with pituitary Rathke' pouch and 3 patients with pituitary abscess.

RESULTSThe serum VEGF levels were (366.8 +/- 211.1) pg/ml and (286.8 +/- 107.6) pg/ml in patients with pituitary adenomas and pituitary hyperhasia, respectively, which were higher than those in patients with pituitary Rathke' pouch [(180.5 +/- 61.7) pg/ml], patients with pituitary abscess [(147.5 +/- 46.3) pg/ml] and the health control [(180.8 +/- 56.2) pg/ml] (P < 0.05). In patients with pituitary adenomas, the VEGF levels were (380.0 +/- 234.5) pg/ml in macroadenomas and (380.1 +/- 2870.3) pg/ml in giant adenomas, higher than those in microadenomas [(294.6 +/- 111.6) pg/ml] and in pituitary hyperhasia respectively (P < 0.05). The serum VEGF levels were not significantly different in pituitary adenoma in terms of invasive growth, apoplexy, cyst and hormone secretory functions (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe upregulation of serum VEGF expression may reflect the biological activities of pituitary adenoma. However, it may not be associated with pituitary Rathke' pouch, pituitary abscess, adenoma with invasiveness, apoplexy, cyst and hormone secretory function. The serum VEGF levels could be helpful in differentiating pituitary adenoma from pituitary Rathke' pouch and pituitary abscess.