Aim: To determine in the hamster cheek pouch whether or not the changes in plasma extravasation induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could be affected by fructose diet.
Methods: Hamsters were subjected to control drinking water or to water containing fructose (10 %) for 18 weeks.
Results: The fructose diet induced a small but significant increase in glycemia (0.80+/-0.11 and 1.09+/-0.15, n=8 and 9 for control and fructose- treated animals, respectively, P<0.05). Bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation was not affected by the fructose diet while the effects of VEGF were markedly increased (maximal number of leakage sites: 76+/-20 and 126+/-55, n = 8 and 9 for control and fructose-treated animals, respectively, P<0.01).
Conclusion: Even moderate changes in glycemic levels can produce profound alteration in the VEGF response.