Level of VEGF-A and interleukin 6 in lacrimal fluid of patients with diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an ocular manifestation characterized by microvascular complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and two lacrimal angiogenic cytokines, interleukin-6 (Il-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). A cross-sectional study was conducted at Yaoundé Central Hospital from February,1 to June, 15, 2019. Twenty-six diabetic patients with retinopathy and 55 diabetics without retinopathy were enrolled. Tears were collected with Schirmer strips. The concentrations of VEGF-A and Il-6 were determined by the ELISA test. Statistical analysis was performed using Epi Data version 7.1.5.2. and GraphPad 5.0. The mean VEGF-A concentration was 163.4 ± 45.1 and 149± 81.8 pg/ml in patients with and without DR respectively (p= 0.292) while tear Il-6 level was 118.5±103 and 119±79.43 pg/ml in patients with and without DR respectively (p= 0.497). The mean tear VEGF level was 165.2 ± 76.10 and 153.50 ± 57.94 pg/mL in patients with and without diabetic maculopathy (DM) respectively (p=0.343) while tear Il-6 level was significantly lower in DM (54.92±32.68) compared to patients without DM (159.10±89.78) (p=0.047). Tear Il-6 level was significantly low in patients with DM. There was no association between the 2 lacrimal biomarkers and diabetic retinopathy. Further analysis is needed for this type of screening in diabetic patients.

Keywords: eye, retina, tear, diabetes, biomarker; cytokine.