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Volume 5 Issue 10 (October, 2017)

Original Articles

Comparative Evaluation of Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors in Aqueous Humor in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients
Brijesha Dudhat, Reshma Ramakrishna, Dhairya Parikh, Shrikant Deshpande

Background: It is assumed, therefore, that the profile of the aqueous humor can afford useful information relating to inflammatory processes in the eyes. In patients with progressive diabetic retinopathy (PDR), neo-vascularization from the retina, ischemia, bleeding into the vitreous humor and retinal detachment due to vitreo retinal traction can eventually lead to blindness. Various cytokines have been identified as playing a role in diabetic retinopathy, including VEGF, TGF-b, IGF-1 and bFGF. Aim of the study: To comparatively evaluate the levels of vascular endothelial growth factors in aqueous humor in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Materials and methods: 30 patients with 36 eyes scheduled for intraocular surgery were included in the study. 19 patients were males and 11 were females. The mean age of the patients was 62.32+12.04 years. 24 hours before the surgery, blood samples were taken from the patients for the evaluation of blood glucose, HbA1c, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Out of 30 patients, 21 patients were diabetic whereas 9 patients were non-diabetic. The subjects of the patients were grouped into two groups, Group A (diabetic patients) and Group B (non-diabetic patients). Group A consisted of 21 patients with 25 eyes in consideration for the study. Group B consisted of 9 with 10 eyes in consideration for the study. The samples of aqueous humor were collected just before the intraocular surgery under sterile conditions in the operating theatre. Results: The mean age of subjects in Group A was 63.21 + 14.12 years and Group B was 65.23 + 12.61 years.  The level of Aqueous VEGF in aqueous humor in Group A was 212.3+52.3 pg/ml and in Group B was 68.12+31.2 pg/ml. The HnA1c level in the blood in Group A was 10.7 + 3.1 % and Group B was 5.1 + 1.3 %. The fasting glucose level in the blood of Group A was 182 + 48.21mg/dL and Group B was 98.21 + 7.2 mg/dl. The results with respect to aqueous VEGF, HbA1c, and fasting Glucose were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Vascular endothelial growth factors in aqueous humor of diabetic patients were significantly elevated as compared to non-diabetic patients. 
Keywords: aqueous humor, diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, intraocular surgery.

 
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