الفهرس 
Introduction and aim of the workOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Background: Mechanisms underlying the development of diabetic kidney disease are complex. Among the many potential pathogenic mechanisms responsible for the development of diabetic kidney disease, the angiogenic growth and survival factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been suggested to be an important player. However, its role in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy is still controversial and little in vivo evidence is available about its potential role specially in type 2 diabetes.The aim of the study was to evaluate circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in diabetic nephropathy and to assess whether its level is related to the severity of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on a group of 38 type 2 diabetic patients[20 (52.6%) males, 18 (47.4%) females, with mean age of 54.7 ± 2.3 years] who were selected from those regularly attending the Diabetes Clinic of Mansoura University Specialized Medical Hospital and they were compared with 8 healthy subjects of matched age, sex and body mass index as a control group. The studied diabetic patients were categorized according to 24 hours urinary albumin excretion (UAE) into; non nephropathic group of 13 patients and a nephropathic one of 25 patients. Type 2 diabetes and the cutoff values of the 24h UAE abnormalities were diagnosed according to American Diabetes Association guidelines. All studied cases were assessed for fasting and 2 hours postprandial blood glucose ,serum creatinine, , 24h UAE and serum VEGF Also, fundus examination, electrocardiogram and abdominal ultrasound were done. Lifestyle and antidiabetic treatment remain unchanged during the study. Results :It was found that serum VEGF show significant increase in all studied diabetic patients compared to control group (P < 0.001) and in nephropathic group compared to non nephropathic one (P < 0.001).Further, serum VEGF was also significantly increased in macro-albuminuric group compared to micro-albuminuric one (P = 0.001).Conclusion : These results clarified that VEGF may be a good index for early detection and determination of the severity of diabetic nephropathy due to type 2 diabetes.