Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C during Stem Cell Therapy Using Autologous Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells in Patients with Lower Limb Lymphedema

Introduction: Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) is the primary lymphangiogenic factor that stimulates lymphangiogenesis by signaling via specific receptor, vascular receptor 3 (VEGFR3). This study was conducted to evaluate change in level of VEGF-C before and after autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation for treatment Lower limb lymphedema. Patient methods: Forty patients with lower lymphedema were divided into two groups. Group I included 20 chronic who underwent transplantation. II exposed only compression therapy as a control group. diseased limbs measured both groups at beginning then 6 months respectively. Results: patients, 8 male (40%) 12 females (60%) mean age 29.5 ± 12.15 while group 20, 10 (50%) 39.5 11.5. In I, specimens taken showed marked decrease statistically significant p value, 0.02 0.001 alone interval fluctuation non-significant 0.64 0.55 Conclusion: essential regulation lymphangiogenesis. The found elevated cells, however these results statically non-significant.