Jelena Lazovic1, William J. Zinnanti1,2, Ellen Wolpert3, David A. Antonetti3, Russell E. Jacobs1
1Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA; 2Biochemistry, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA; 3Physiology, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
The neuroprotective role of vascular endothelial factor (VEGF) following cerebral ischemia remains highly controversial. The inborn error of metabolism glutaric acidemia type-1 (GA-1) is frequently associated with cerebral and retinal hemorrhages, and affected individuals often experience ischemic injury involving basal ganglia. To investigate the relationship between VEGF expression and ischemic injury we measured cerebral blood flow using arterial spin labeling method, and VEGF protein levels in mouse model of GA-1. Significantly increased levels of VEGF correlated with severely reduced perfusion, and were found in encephalopathic mice.