Vitreous leptin levels in retinal disease

Abstract

Background/aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between vitreous leptin levels and retinal diseases. Methods: Levels of vitreous leptin were evaluated in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and a variety of other retinopathies including: macular disease, neovascular maculopathies, primary retinal detachments, and vascular occlusive disease. Results: In patients with PDR (N=7), the average vitreous level of leptin (37.4ng/ml) was significantly higher than that in patients with PVR (<1.0ng/ml, P<0.05). Vitreous leptin level in patients with PVR or macular disease (N=18), with or without diabetes, was not significantly different from the control subjects who had retinal detachment only (N=7). Conclusion: The results show that the leptin level in vitreous taps is elevated in PDR. We suggest that leptin plays an active role in PDR. © 2006 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved.