Increase of vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-6 in the aqueous humour of patients with macular oedema and central retinal vein occlusion.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

This study aimed to investigate whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or interleukin-6 (IL-6) influence macular oedema in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

METHODS:

Sixteen consecutive patients with unilateral CRVO and macular oedema were studied, along with eight age- and sex-matched patients without ischaemic ocular disease. Retinal ischaemia was evaluated from capillary non-perfusion on fluorescein angiography. Macular oedema was examined by optical coherence tomography. Aqueous humour (AH) samples were obtained during combined pars plana vitrectomy and cataract surgery, and were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS:

Aqueous levels of VEGF and IL-6 were significantly elevated in patients compared with controls (p=0.0142 and p<0.0001, respectively). Aqueous levels of both molecules were significantly higher in patients with ischaemia than in those without ischaemia (p=0.0026 and p=0.0487, respectively). Furthermore, AH levels of VEGF and IL-6 were correlated with the severity of macular oedema (ρ=0.7265, p=0.0049, ρ=0.5324, and p=0.0392, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:

  Both VEGF and IL-6 were elevated in the AH of patients with macular oedema and ischaemic CRVO, suggesting that these molecules may be related to the increase in vascular permeability in such patients.

• Authors: Hidetaka Noma, Hideharu Funatsu, Tatsuya Mimura, Seiyo Harino, Takashi Sone, Sadao Hori
• Journal: Acta ophthalmologica (Acta Ophthalmol) Vol. 88 Issue 6 Pg. 646-51 (Sep 2010) ISSN: 1755-3768 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19563372 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 Acta Ophthalmol.

Chemical References

• IL6 protein, human
• Interleukin-6
• VEGFA protein, human
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Topics

• Aged
• Aqueous Humor (metabolism)
• Cataract Extraction
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Fluorescein Angiography
• Humans
• Interleukin-6 (metabolism)
• Macular Edema (diagnosis, metabolism)
• Male
• Retinal Vein Occlusion (diagnosis, metabolism)
• Tomography, Optical Coherence
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (metabolism)
• Visual Acuity
• Vitrectomy