Detection of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid in vitreous of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To study the levels of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in vitreous of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and to investigate their roles in retinal ischemia.


METHODS
Vitreous samples were collected from 25 patients (27 eyes) with PDR and 14 patients (14 eyes) with idiopathic macular hole. Glutamate and GABA detection were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).


RESULTS
Patients with PDR had significantly higher concentrations of glutamate and GABA than the control group. The glutamate level has a significantly positive correlation with GABA level.


CONCLUSIONS
Detection of glutamate and GABA in vitreous provides biochemical support for the mechanism and treatment of ischemic retinal damage in patients with PDR.
Deng
J
J
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, China.
Wu
D Z
DZ
Gao
R
R
D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000378:metabolism; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000378:metabolism; D012171:Retinal Vessels; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000737:chemistry*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000032:analysis*
D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid