Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine the aqueous levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy.
Methods: :
Aqueous humors were obtained from 41 eyes of 41 patients during cataract surgery, and the VEGF and PEDF concentrations in the aqueous humor were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The primary diagnosis was cataract in 41 eyes of 41 patients of these there were 21 eyes of diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy, and 20 eyes with cataract alone without other ocular or systemic diseases.
Results: :
The VEGF concentrations in aqueous humor in eyes of diabetic patients without DR (1183.31±231.12 pg/ml,mean±SE, P=0.013) was significantly increased than that in eyes with cataract alone (951.47±280.39 pg/ml,mean±SE). The PEDF levels in aqueous humor in eyes of diabetic patients without DR (34.68±4.77ng/ml,mean±SE, P=0.042) were significantly decreased than that in eyes with cataract alone (40.11±15.87ng/ml,mean±SE).
Conclusions: :
The results suggest that there is an up-regulation of VEGF in the aqueous humor in eyes of diabetic patients without DR with a reciprocal decrease in PEDF. The Unbalanced aqueous humor levels of VEGF and PEDF may result in progression of diabetic retinopathy.
Keywords: diabetic retinopathy • aqueous • diabetes