Release of TGF-beta 1 and VEGF in tears following photorefractive keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To study the presence and release of tear fluid transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and vasoendothelial growth factor (VEGF) of 19 patients undergoing excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy.


METHODS
Tear fluid samples were collected with scaled microcapillary tubes preoperatively (Day 0) and on the first or second (Day 1-2) and seventh (Day 7) postoperative days. Since postoperative tear fluid flow was significantly higher, we calculated the release of both growth factors by multiplying the concentration by the tear fluid flow in the capillary.


RESULTS
The median tear fluid flow in the capillary was 8.1 microliters/ min (range 0.7-20.8) on Day 0, 46.3 microliters/min (3.1-135.1) on Day 1-2, and 10.2 microliters/min (1.8-65) on Day 7. The median TGF-beta 1 concentration and release values were: Day 0: 4.5 ng/ ml (0-23) and 24 pg/min (0-257), Day 1-2: 9 ng/ml (0-32) and 446 pg/min (0-4602; p = 0.0014), and Day 7: 6.5 ng/ml (0-44) and 53 pg/min (0-470), respectively. The median VEGF concentrations and releases were: Day 0: 19 ng/ml (14-23) and 128 pg/min (11-458), Day 1-2: 15 ng/ml (11-20) and 695 pg/ min (14-2567; p = 0.0007), and Day 7: 17.5 ng/ml (15-22) and 167 pg/min (27-1235), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
TGF-beta 1 and VEGF are components of normal tear fluid. The significantly increased release of both growth factors after exeimer laser photorefractive keratectomy may influence the corneal wound healing process.
Vesaluoma
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Teppo
A M
AM
Grönhagen-Riska
C
C
Tervo
T
T
D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000378:metabolism; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D013666:Tears / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors