Aqueous humor levels of hepatocyte growth factor in retinitis pigmentosa.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the level of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the aqueous humor of patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).


METHODS
This was a prospective, comparative control study. Aqueous humor samples were collected from the eyes of 15 RP patients. The level of HGF was determined with a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay kit. The control group was composed of aqueous samples from 15 patients about to undergo cataract surgery with no other ocular or systemic diseases.


RESULTS
The concentration of HGF was markedly higher in the aqueous humor of the patients with RP than in that of the control subjects (Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.001). The level of HGF was 958.75 +/- 271.52 (mean +/- SD) pg/mL in the eyes of the RP patients and 403.52 +/- 116.27 pg/mL in eyes of the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The concentration of HGF in aqueous humor is higher among patients with RP than in non-RP subjects. This finding provides new evidence that should be taken in account when considering HGF as a neuroprotective treatment for patients with RP.
Salom
David
D
Department of Ophthalmology, La Fe University Hospital of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. david.salom@ yahoo.com
Diaz-Llopis
Manuel
M
Quijada
Arturo
A
García-Delpech
Salvador
S
Udaondo
Patricia
P
Romero
F Javier
FJ
Millan
Jose Maria
JM
Arevalo
J Fernando
JF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism*; D004596:Electroretinography; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D014792:Visual Acuity
C066855:HGF protein, human; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor