[The change of serum vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinases-9 in proliferative hemangioma treated with propranolol].

Objective To study the level of serum vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinases-9 in the proliferative hemangioma before and after propranolol treatment. Methods The serum VEGF, MMP-9 was detected with ELISA assay before treatment and after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of propranolol treatment. The relationship between the serum VEGF, MMP-9 and the prognosis was analyzed. Results The serum VEGF(295.4 ± 158.1 ) pg/ml was high before treatment, then decreased after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment (255.7 ± 130.4) pg/ml, (224.2 ± 120.6) pg/ml. The serum VEGF was significantly lower after 8 weeks of treatment( P ＜ 0.05 ). The serum MMP-9 was also decreased after treatment, showing a positive relationship with VEGF. Conclusions Propranolol can treat the proliferative hemangioma through decreasing the serum VEGF and MMP-9. Key words: Infantile hemangioma; Propranolol ; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Matrix metalloproteinases-9