title: Increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and correlation with VEGF and inflammatory cytokines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We determined vitreous levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE(2)), VEGF, and 15 other cytokines in diabetic and nondiabetic patients undergoing vitrectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 26 eyes of 26 patients enrolled consecutively, 13 eyes underwent vitrectomy for complications related to proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and the other 13 for epiretinal membrane, macular hole, vitreous opacities, or dislocated intraocular lens. Undiluted vitreous samples were taken at the time of surgery and frozen immediately at -80°C, and later analyzed for PGE(2), VEGF, and 15 other cytokines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PGE(2) levels were 53% higher in diabetic eyes. Mean ± standard deviation PGE(2) levels were 25.11 ± 11 pg/mL and 16.40 ± 7 pg/mL in diabetic and nondiabetic eyes, respectively (P < 0.03). Mean ± standard deviation VEGF levels were 2225 ± 3798 pg/mL and 66 ± 185 pg/mL in diabetic and nondiabetic eyes, respectively (P < 0.001). Other cytokines, including eotaxin-1, growth related oncogene (GRO), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, interferon-γ-inducible protein of 10 kDa (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and platelet-derived growth factor-AA, also were elevated significantly in diabetic eyes. A significant correlation was seen between PGE(2) levels and IP-10 and VEGF (P = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PGE(2) levels are significantly higher in the vitreous of patients with complications from proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and correlate with IP-10 and VEGF. The results of our study suggest that PGE(2) may have a pathogenic role in diabetic retinopathy and implicates a potential therapeutic role for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01609881.).
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.
authors.forename: Scott D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Schoenberger
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jinsong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.forename: Kasra A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Rezaei
authors.forename: Maziar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lalezary
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cherney
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D015232:Dinoprostone