AIM: To determine in the hamster cheek pouch whether or not the changes in plasma extravasation induced byvascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could be affected by fructose diet. METHODS: Hamsters were sub-jected to control drinking water or to water containing fructose (10 %) for 18 weeks. RESULTS: The fructose dietinduced 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 fructosediet 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 changesin glycemic levels can produce profound alteration in the VEGF response.