Possible involvement of endothelin-1 and nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Overproduction of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) in the retina is demonstrated in experimental diabetic animals. To clarify the possible involvement of ET-1 and NO in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, the authors examined the vitreous levels of these principal endothelium-derived vasoactive substances in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

METHODS:

Vitreous fluid was taken from patients with PDR (ET-1, n = 12; NO, n = 12) and from patients with macular holes as controls (ET-1, n = 10; NO, n = 10) at vitreous surgery. Endothelin-1 and NO metabolites were measured by radioimmunoassay and high-performance liquid chromatography based on the Griess method, respectively.

RESULTS:

Endothelin-1 levels (mean +/- SE) were 21.5 +/- 1.7 pg/mL in the vitreous of patients with PDR and 16.7 +/- 0.7 pg/mL in the vitreous of patients with macular hole. There was a significant difference between patients with PDR and controls (P = 0.009, Mann-Whitney). Nitrate (NO3) was 49.8 +/- 5.0 micromol/L in patients with PDR and 24.2 +/- 2.8 micromol/L in patients with macula hole; it was also significantly elevated in patients with PDR (P = 0.004, Mann-Whitney), whereas nitrite (NO2) was not detected in this study.

CONCLUSION:

These results indicate that ET-1 and NO may be related in the pathogenesis of PDR.

• Authors: H Oku, T Kida, T Sugiyama, J Hamada, B Sato, T Ikeda
• Journal: Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.) (Retina) Vol. 21 Issue 6 Pg. 647-51 ( 2001) ISSN: 0275-004X [Print] United States
• PMID: 11756889 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Endothelin-1
• Nitrates
• Nitrites
• Nitric Oxide

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Diabetic Retinopathy (etiology, metabolism)
• Endothelin-1 (metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nitrates (metabolism)
• Nitric Oxide (metabolism)
• Nitrites (metabolism)
• Radioimmunoassay
• Retinal Perforations (metabolism)
• Vitreous Body (metabolism)