Dynamics of quantitative biochemical markers after vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Relevance Identification of molecular biomarkers, including those found in the vitreous body, in various pathological processes, including diabetic retinopathy, which in addition to visualized biomarkers [1–3] contributes to a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease [4–6] and optimization of therapeutic approaches. The multiplex analysis method is a modern alternative to enzyme immunoassay, allowing for the simultaneous assessment of a wide range of biomarkers. Objective To evaluate the dynamics of changes in the concentration of molecular biomarkers of the vitreous cavity in the early postoperative period in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) after 25G vitrectomy. Material and methods The study included 24 patients (24 eyes) with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by PDR requiring surgical intervention for tractional retinal detachment, subtotal or total hemophthalmos, and tractional diabetic macular edema. Vitreous samples were obtained at the first stage of vitrectomy and again one month after surgery. Results One month after surgery, VEGF concentration decreased from 203.8 ± 228 to 113 ± 95 pg/ml, but this change did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.307). A significant decrease in the levels of the following biomarkers was recorded: FGF basic, CTACK, Eotaxin, HGF, IL-1β, IL-1α, IL-2Rα, IL-12 (p40), IL-16, IL-4, IL-18, IP-10, MIG, SCF, SCGF-β, SDF-1α, MIF, M-CSF. Conclusion Vitrectomy predominantly leads to a decrease in the concentration of proinflammatory biomarkers, which confirms the buffering function of the vitreous body in the accumulation of molecular markers of inflammation in diabetic retinopathy. Keywords: diabetes mellitus; diabetic retinopathy; molecular biomarkers; multiplex analysis