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Background and Objective: Breast cancer is a cancer in women with high prevalancy worldwide. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important Pro-angiogenic factors. +405C/G is one of the common VEGF polymorphism which may have an impact on the level of gene expression and over loading of gene products. This study was done to evaluate the association between VEGF +405C/G gene polymorphism and breast cancer risk in north of Iran.

Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 50 patients with breast cancer and 50 normal aged-matched controls in north of Iran. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood cells. To determine the genotype of +405 C/G VEGF gene polymorphism, PCR-RFLP method was used.

Results: The prevalence of genotypic frequencies of GG, GC and CC in controls were 42%, 48% and 10%, respectively  and in patients were 22%, 46% and 32%, respectively (P<0.05). The +405C allele was considered as a risk factor in breast cancer (P<0.05).

Conclusion: It seems +405 C/G VEGF gene polymorphism may be associated with the breast cancer in northern Iran.

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Background and Objective: Angiogenesis and expression of angiogenic factors in tumor are associated with increased risk of metastasis and reduction of treatment outcomes. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of endurance training on the angiogenic factors (VEGFR-2, VEGF) of tumor in breast cancer bearing mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, 20 BALB/c mice following breast cancer induction were randomly allocated into two groups of experimental (n=10) and control (n=10). Breast cancer tumors were induced by MC4-L2 cell infusion. Animals in the experimental group were received endurance training for 6 weeks, 5 days a week with gradual increase in intensity from 12 to 20 (m.min-1) and duration from 25 to 55 minutes. Tumor volume was measured weekly with digital caliper. Expression of two angiogenic proteins of VEGFR-2 and VEGF were measured by ELISA method.
Results: Endurance training significantly reduced VEGFR-2 protein in training group (1.524±0.324 ng ml^-1) compared to the control group (2.686±0.815 ng ml^-1) (p<0.05), whereas, there was no significant difference in the VEGF protein in the training group (734.633±110.131 pg ml^-1) compared to the control group (756.317±72.32 pg ml^-1). The tumor volume significantly decreased in the training group compared to the control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Regular endurance training induces anti-angiogenic effects in tumor tissue of breast cancer bearing mice.

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Background and Objective: Acute ischemic preconditioning improves exercise performance. This study was done to determine the effect of four weeks of ischemic preconditioning on vascular grow factor (VEGF), lactate metabolism and fatigue indices.
Methods: In this clinical trial study, twenty inactive young men were randomly divided experimental (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. Subjects in experimental group perceived ischemic preconditioning (consisted of four 5-minute cycles of ischemia, followed by five minutes of reperfusion) for four weeks prior training. Blood samples were taken in the rest in order to measuring of VEGF. 48 hours prior and after the last intervention session, subjects performed an anaerobic Wingate test and rating the perceived exertion immediately and blood lactate were measured before, immediately, 5, 10 and 15 min after of Wingate test.
Results: 4-week IPC treatment significantly increased VEGF in compared to control group (138.2±8.2 vs 160.1±10.3) (P<0.05). Rating of perceived exertion (6.4±0.5 vs 6±0.1) and lactate accumulation in 15 min after exercise was significantly lower in experimental group in compare to controls (4.1±0.8 vs 5.6±1.2) (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between groups for power output (745.2±131.6 vs 769.7±148.6) and fatigue index (50.58±7.2 vs 46.2±11.8).
Conclusion: Four weeks of ischemic preconditioning increase VEGF and reduce rating the perceived exertion and blood lactate after intensive exercise in inactive young men.

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Background and Objective: Ovarian cancer, also known as “The Silent Killer,” is one of the most dangerous cancers for women, which often diagnosed late and incurable. On the other hand, conventional therapies currently have limitations, failures and various side effects. This study was performed to determine the effect of pomegranate peel extract on the expression of angiogenesis stimulating gene (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor: VEGF) by culturing A2780 cell line of ovarian cancer.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, pomegranate peel extract was prepared and then ovarian cancer cells (A2780 cell line) were exposed to different concentrations of pomegranate peel extract (500, 250, 100, 75, 50, 25 and 10 µg/ml) for 48, 24 and 72 hours. Also, the survival rate of the cells was tested by MTT assay and VEGF gene expression was evaluated using RT-PCR.
Results: Pomegranate peel extract concentration of 500 µg/ml reduced the survival rate to 18% in 72 hours (P<0.05). At concentrations of 200, 100 and 50 µg/ml of pomegranate peel extract, the expression of VEGF reduced by 7%, 16% and 19%, respectively, which was significant compared to the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Pomegranate peel extract, due to its numerous compounds and significant antioxidant properties, is likely to reduce metastasis and malignant manifestations by reducing the expression of the angiogenesis agent.