VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor, is a substance firstly described in 1983 as a tumor-secreted protein which causes the development of ascitic fluid in case of abdominal tumors. Its influence on angiogenesis was ascertained by many studies. The strongest stimulus for its production is hypoxia, which leads to higher secretion of VEGF and new angiogenesis of so affected tissue. The neurogenic effect was firstly mentioned in 1999. Its protective and proliferative influence both on CNS and peripheral nerves is now widely accepted. It was demonstrated that VEGF has more wide ranging effect than previously thought.

Univerzita Karlova Praha 3 lékarská fakulta a FN Královské Vinohrady Neurochirurgická klinika Praha