Vitreous and Serum Concentrations of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

• Published in: Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) N.Z.), 2020-01, Vol.14, p.1547-1552
• Main Authors: Muhiddin, Habibah Setyawati, Kamaruddin, Muhammad Irfan, Ichsan, Andi Muhammad, Budu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bevacizumab; Blood platelets; Diabetes; Diabetic retinopathy; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Enzymes; fibrotic tissue; Hemorrhage; Medical research; Original Research; Pegaptanib; Platelet-derived growth factor; proliferative diabetic retinopathy; Ranibizumab; Retina; Retinal detachment; Surgery; Vascular endothelial growth factor
• ISSN: 1177-5467; 1177-5483; 1177-5483
• DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S248812

This study aimed to investigate the concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in vitreous and serum samples, analyze the ratio, and compare among proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) subgroups. This study included 17 eyes of patients with PDR, identified as the PDR group which was divided into three subgroups (vitreous hemorrhage [VH], VH with fibrotic tissues, and tractional retinal detachment), and five control eyes (nucleus and intraocular lens drop). Vitreous and serum samples were obtained on the same day. The VEGF-A and PDGF-AB concentrations were calculated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The VEGF-A and PDGF-AB concentrations in vitreous samples were significantly higher in the PDR group (630.72 ± 342.81 pg/mL) compared with those in the control group (153.58 ± 145.85 pg/mL); however, they were not detected in serum samples. The vitreous/serum ratio of the VEGF-A concentration in the PDR group (2.1 ± 1.8) was significantly higher compared with that in the control group (0.31 ± 0.33). The VEGF-A concentrations in vitreous samples were highest in the VH group and lowest in the VH with fibrotic tissue subgroup (mean difference 536.16 pg/mL). The vitreous VEGF-A/PDGF-AB concentration ratios were also significantly different among the PDR subgroups. High concentrations of VEGF and PDGF in vitreous samples of PDR eyes indicate its local related activity in PDR pathology. There is a possibility of PDGF involvement in the pathogenesis of PDR. The VEGF/PDGF concentration ratios possibly play a significant role in the formation of fibrotic tissue in PDR.