Concentrations of Selected Cytokines and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Aqueous Humor and Serum of Diabetic Patients

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To investigate the aqueous humor and serum levels of selected cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in diabetic patients, implicating their role in the pathogenesis of diabetic eye complications.

Materials and methods:   Atotal of 65 patients (27 males and 38 females) who underwent cataract surgery were recruited into the study. The study group consisted of 30 cataract patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and this group was divided into two subgroups: 14 patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR group) and 16 patients without DR (NDR group). The control group consisted of 35 non-diabetic cataract subjects.

Results: Patients in the DR group had significantly higher aqueous humor concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1) and VEGF. Likewise, serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, TNF-α and IFN-γ were significantly higher in the DR group as compared to the controls. Aqueous humor concentrations of IL-1β, IL-8, MCP-1 and VEGF were significantly higher in the DR group as compared with the NDR group.

Conclusion: Our findings support the hypothesis that chronic inflammation and a disturbance of the immune system play important roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract and DR.

Keywords:

• cataract
• diabetic retinopathy
• cytokines
• aqueous humor
• serum

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors are alone responsible for the writing and content of the paper. The funding organization had no role in the design or conduct of this study.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Federal ministry of science and education in Bosnia and Herzegovina under Grant No. 05-39-3822/15.