Vascular endothelial growth factor in chronic degenerative diseases: Literature review

Abstract

Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis are fundamental physiological processes during development. However, the uncontrolled formation of new vessels can promote several pathological conditions such as tumor growth, metastasis, retinopathies, inflammatory processes, etc. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an essential role in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. VEGF has been subject of study for 25 years and has been increasingly implicated in many pathological processes, especially those with the highest prevalence in the world such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart diseases, and chronic renal disease, among others. The present study describes the participation of VEGF in various diseases and treatments aimed at this pathway.