• An increased capillary network has been observed in the skeletal muscle in patients with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). These changes could be due to upregulation of growth factors responsible for angiogenesis.The aim of the study was to examine the occurrence and localization of VEGF and capillary proliferation in skeletal muscle of RLS (n=12), OSAS (n=12) and controls (n=11).Double-immunofluorescence staining for capillaries (CD31) and VEGF, and proliferating cells (Ki-67), was carried out on biopsies taken from the tibialis anterior. The percentage of capillaries expressing VEGF (CD31,VEGF+)  was significantly higher in OSAS and RLS compared to controls. The percentage of proliferating capillaries (CD31,Ki-67+)  was significantly higher in OSAS compared with controls.In conclusion our study shows the occurrence of proliferation of endothelial cells in skeletal muscle in RLS and OSAS, supporting an upregulation of VEGF located in capillaries probably due to local hypoxia.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Tvärvetenskapliga studier inom samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Social Sciences Interdisciplinary (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Idrottsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Sport and Fitness Sciences (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

VEGF

immunofluorescence

capillary

RLS

OSAS

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AREAS

TVÄRVETENSKAPLIGA FORSKNINGSOMRÅDEN

Sports Science

Idrottsvetenskap

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)