Correlation between angiotensin-converting enzyme, vascular endothelial growth factor, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the vitreous of eyes with diabetic retinopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the involvement of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) with angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in the vitreous of eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).


METHODS
Observational case series.


METHODS
Angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in the vitreous was measured by using a synthetic substrate for ACE. VEGF and MMP-9 concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Vitreous ACE activity was significantly higher in eyes with PDR (1.4 +/- 1.3 mU/ml) than in eyes with macular holes (0.22 +/- 0.11 mU/ml). Vitreous VEGF concentration in the eyes with PDR (1067 +/- 1076 pg/ml) was significantly higher than in eyes with macular holes (34 +/- 5.5 pg/ml). Vitreous MMP-9 concentration was also significantly higher in eyes with PDR (7.5 +/- 3.8 ng/ml) than in eyes with macular holes (4.2 +/- 1.4 ng/ml). Significant correlations between ACE and VEGF (P < .01) and between ACE and MMP-9 (P < .01) were observed in the vitreous of eyes with PDR.


CONCLUSIONS
Angiotensin-converting enzyme was significantly correlated with angiogenic factors, VEGF and MMP-9, in the vitreous of eyes with PDR.
Ishizaki
Eisuke
E
Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka Medical College, 2-7 Daigaku-machi, Takatsuki City, Osaka 569-8686, Japan.
Takai
Shinji
S
Ueki
Mari
M
Maeno
Takatoshi
T
Maruichi
Midori
M
Sugiyama
Tetsuya
T
Oku
Hidehiro
H
Ikeda
Tsunehiko
T
Miyazaki
Mizuo
M
D000368:Aged; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000201:enzymology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000097:blood*; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000201:enzymology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000201:enzymology*
C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9