Journal of Ophthalmology (Oct 2016)

Alterations in the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the uveitis with optic nerve inflammation

  • N.V. Panchenko,
  • M.N. Samofalova,
  • E.N. Gonchar,
  • D.O. Prikhod’ko,
  • G.S. Arustamova,
  • A.V. Lytvyshchenko

DOI
https://doi.org/10.31288/oftalmolzh201651821
Journal volume & issue
no. 5
pp. 18 – 21

Abstract

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Purpose: To assess serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?) in uveitis patients with optic nerve inflammation (ONI). Materials and Methods: A retrospective evaluation of 132 patients who underwent examination and treatment for uveitis with ONI was performed. A commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to measure serum TNF-? levels. Serum samples of 30 healthy donors were used as controls. Results: Serum TNF-? levels in uveitis patients with ONI were 3.8 times higher compared to those in healthy controls (15.8 ± 1.02 pg/mL and 4.1 ± 1.52 pg/mL, respectively, p < 0.05). The highest increase in serum TNF-? levels compared to controls was seen in intermediate uveitis. Conclusion: Serum TNF-? levels in active period of uveitis with ONI were found to be statistically significantly increased compared to those in controls. This finding provides the rationale for the use of anti-TNF-? agents for the treatment of uveitis with optic nerve inflammation.

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