Aqueous Humor Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Levels in Patients with Acute Anterior Uveitis

Abstract

Purpose: : Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an acute phase protein that is rapidly released from not only neutrophils but also a variety of cell types upon inflammation and tissue injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of NGAL in the aqueous humor in eyes with acute anterior uveitis (AAU).

Methods: : A prospective, comparative control study. Aqueous humor was collected from 20 eyes of 20 patients with AAU. The level of NGAL was determined with a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay kit. The control group comprised 20 aqueous samples from 20 patients about to undergo cataract surgery and without any other ocular or systemic diseases.

Results: : The concentration of NGAL in aqueous humor was markedly higher in patients with UUA than in control subjects (Mann-Withney U test, P< 0.001). The level of NGAL was 139197,38 ± 183426,36 (mean ± SD) pg/ml in eyes with UUA and 3169.96 ± 1595.78pg/ml in the eyes of the control group.

Conclusions: : The aqueous humor NGAL level is increased in eyes with AAU. These results imply that NGAL is associated with the regulation of inflammation in patients with AAU.

Keywords: uveitis-clinical/animal model • inflammation