Katarina Cvitkovic1,2, Antonio Sesar2, Irena Sesar2, Anita Pusic-Sesar2, Renato Pejic2, Tomislav Kelava3, Alan Sucur3, Ivan Cavar1,2. 1. Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Center, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 3. Department of Physiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
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.
Purpose: To investigate the aqueous humor and serum levels of selected cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in diabeticpatients, 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 cataractpatients 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.