Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To evaluate serum and vitreous levels of insulin–like growth factor 1 (IGF–1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with florid diabetic retinopathy (FDR). Methods: Two young patients (Case 1 is 32 years old female, Case 2 is 34 years old Male, both are type 2 diabetes), experiencing rapid lowering of blood glucose, were administered a vitrectomy for vitreous hemorrhage. Serum and vitreous levels of IGF–1 and VEGF were measured by ELISA methods. Results: Serum levels of IGF–1 were elevated to 403 ng/ml (Case 1) and 518 ng/ml (Case 2). However, vitreous levels of IGF–1 could not be detected, VEGF levels were elevated to 702 pg/ml (Case 1) and 21,700 pg/ml (Case 2). The other eye in Case 1, serum levels of IGF–1 was also elevated to 437 ng/ml, and vitreous levels of VEGF was elevated to 560 pg/ml. At the second operation in Case 2 due to recurrent vitreous hemorrhage, serum levels of IGF–1 was elevated to 417 ng/ml, and vitreous levels of VEGF was elevated to 11,700 pg/ml. Conclusions: Acute hypoglycemic episodes with transient increases in serum levels of IGF–1 and vitreous levels of VEGF may contribute to the FDR.
Keywords: diabetic retinopathy • growth factors/growth factor receptors • vitreous