LOCAL AND SYSTEMIC VEGF-А PRODUCTION IN COMPLICATED PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Abstract

VEGF-A contents was studied in blood serum, lacrimal fluid, and vitreous body of patients with different clinical forms of complicated proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). The study included 50 patients with diabetes mellitus (type I, II), twelve patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and fifteen healthy individuals. Complicated PDR was shown to be associated with higher levels of VEGF-A in blood serum and lacrimal fluid of these patients as compared to the cases of stable PDR and healthy individuals, as well as increased VEGF-A concentrations in vitreous humor. Concentrations of this cytokine in vitreous body proved to be significantly exceeded those in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Most severe clinical manifestations in complicated PDR and intraoperative hemorrhagic complications were associated with sharp VEGF-A increase in blood serum and vitreous humor, thus reflecting certain disturbances at local and systemic levels.