Does vitreous galactin-3, copeptin and retina binding protein-4 concentrations change in diabetic retinopathy?

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to investigate whether the concentrations of Galactin-3 (G-3), Copeptin (CP) and Retina Binding Protein-4 (RBP-4) are affected in the vitreous humor of patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: Thirty-six patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) were included in the study, consisting of 10 patients without DR and 26 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). The control group comprised 15 patients who underwent vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane and macular hole surgeries. Vitreous CP, G-3, and RBP-4 concentrations were examined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The groups were compared internally Results: We did not observe any significant differences in the concentrations of G-3, CP and RBP-4 in the vitreous humor between diabetic patients and the control group (p=0.56, p=0.65 and p=0.11, respectively). When comparing vitreous samples of diabetic subgroups with and without DR findings to the control group, no significant differences were detected (p=0.51, p=0.66, and p=0.19, respectively). Conclusion: Our results indicate that the concentrations of G-3, CP, and RBP-4 in the vitreous humor remain unchanged in both diabetic patients and those with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DRP).