J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2014 Dec;55(12):1821-1827. 10.3341/jkos.2014.55.12.1821.

Analysis of Aqueous Humor Cytokines in Diabetic Retinopathy

• Song YJ
• Jung JH
• Kim DG

• KMID: 2338968
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2014.55.12.1821

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the relationship between the concentration of aqueous humor cytokines and the severity of diabetic retinopathy.
METHODS
Thirty-six subjects were included in the control, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) groups, each group has 12 patients. Aqueous levels of cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha) were investigated according to the severity of diabetic retinopathy.
RESULTS
When the control group was compared with the PDR and NPDR groups, aqueous levels of IL-6 were significantly higher in PDR patients than in those of both the control and NPDR groups (p = 0.016 and p = 0.003, respectively). The aqueous levels of VEGF were significantly higher in the eyes of PDR patients than in those of the control group (p = 0.003). There were no statistically significant differences between the 3 groups with regard to other cytokines.
CONCLUSIONS
Aqueous levels of IL-6 and VEGF were higher in the eyes of PDR patients than in those of healthy controls.

Keyword

Aqueous humor; Cytokine; Diabetic retinopathy

MeSH Terms

Aqueous Humor*
Cytokines*
Diabetic Retinopathy*
Humans
Interferons
Interleukin-10
Interleukin-2
Interleukin-4
Interleukin-6
Interleukin-8
Monocytes
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Cytokines
Interferons
Interleukin-10
Interleukin-2
Interleukin-4
Interleukin-6
Interleukin-8
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Figure

• 

  Figure 1. Median aqueous levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in each of the 3 groups are compared using Kruskal-wallis test and Dunn procedure. The levels of IL-6 in PDR group are significantly higher than the control and NPDR group (p-value = 0.016, 0.003). NPDR = nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy; PDR = proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

• 

  Figure 2. Median aqueous levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in each of the 3 groups are compared using Kruskal-wallis test and Dunn procedure. The levels of VEGF in PDR group are significantly higher than the control group (p-value = 0.003). NPDR = nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy; PDR = proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Reference

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