Comparison of VEGF-A, PDGF and PEDF levels in aqueous humor and serum of patients with neovascular glaucoma

Abstract

AIM: To quantitatively measure and evaluate the VEGF-A, platelet derived growth factor(PDGF)and pigment epithelium derired factor(PEDF)in the aqueous humor of patients with neovascular glaucoma(NVG). METHODS: Prospectively clinical study. This study involved 23 eyes of 23 patients with advanced NVG and 23 control subjects with age related cataract. Protein concentrations of VEGF-A, PDGF and PEDF in aqueous humor and plasma were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)tests. RESULTS: The VEGF-A and PDGF concentrations in aqueous humor from NVG patients were(1130.56±69.32)ng/L and(221.95±56.08)ng/L, respectively. Both of them were significantly higher than control subject(226.45±37.46)ng/L,(36.25±7.12)ng/L(PPP>0.05). The concentrations of VEGF-A were closely positive correlated with levels of PDGF in the aqueous humor of patients with NVG(r=0.502, P=0.015). However, the concentrations of VEGF-A were closely negative correlated with levels of PEDF in the aqueous humor of patients with NVG(r=-0.480, P=0.020). CONCLUSION: There were higher levels of VEGF-A and PDGF, and lower level of PEDF in the aqueous humor of patients with NVG. There was a positive correlation between VEGF-A and PDGF, a negative correlation between VEGF-A and PEDF. The combination of anti-VEGF agent, PDGF inhibitor and PEDF may provide a new idea for the treatment of NVG.

Keywords

• neovascular glaucoma
• vascular endothelial growth factor-a/ analyze
• platelet-derived growth factor/analyze
• pigment epithelium derived factor/analyze
• aqueous humor
• enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay