The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in a rat model at destruction and healing stages of periodontal disease

Background: The major role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an angiogenic mediator, in promoting the progression or the healing of periodontal disease is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the VEGF expression in the destruction and healing stages of periodontal disease and to investigate the association between VEGF expression and vascularization with regard to the number and diameters of blood vessels. Methods: Thirty rats were distributed equally into two test groups and a control group. Experimental periodontal disease was induced in the test groups by silk ligatures, which were kept in position for 40 days. On the 40th day, ligatures were removed from the healing group, whereas ligatures were left in position in the destruction group. On the 60th day, rats were sacrificed; histomorphometric and biochemical analyses were carried out to determine the number and diameters of blood vessels and the assessment of VEGF concentration by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in the number of blood vessels in the healing group and in the diameters of blood vessels in the destruction group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). In vivo VEGF expressions were highest in the healing group (P < 0.001) and correlated significantly with the number of blood vessels (r(2) = 0.814; P = 0.001). Conclusion: VEGF expression may be related more to the healing stage of periodontal disease than to the destruction stage of the lesion.