TNF-Alpha Levels in Tears: A Novel Biomarker to Assess the Degree of Diabetic Retinopathy

We assess the level of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in tear fluids and other serum parameters associated with diabetes in different degrees of diabetic retinopathy. We have performed a prospective, nonrandomized, observational study. Study populatio...

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Main Authors: C. Costagliola, V. Romano, M. De Tollis, F. Aceto, R. dell’Omo, M. R. Romano, C. Pedicino, F. Semeraro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:Mediators of Inflammation
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/629529
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author C. Costagliola
V. Romano
M. De Tollis
F. Aceto
R. dell’Omo
M. R. Romano
C. Pedicino
F. Semeraro
author_facet C. Costagliola
V. Romano
M. De Tollis
F. Aceto
R. dell’Omo
M. R. Romano
C. Pedicino
F. Semeraro
author_sort C. Costagliola
collection DOAJ
description We assess the level of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in tear fluids and other serum parameters associated with diabetes in different degrees of diabetic retinopathy. We have performed a prospective, nonrandomized, observational study. Study population consisted of 16 healthy subjects (controls) and 32 type 2 diabetic patients: 16 affected by proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and 16 with nonproliferative retinopathy (NDPR, background/preproliferative). Body mass index, urinary albumin, blood glucose, HbA1c, and tear levels of TNF-alpha were measured in all subjects. The value of glycaemia, microalbuminurea, and Body mass index in diabetic retinopathy groups were higher than those in control group (). Glycemia in NPDR: 6.6 mmol/L (range: 5.8–6.3); in PDR: 6.7 mmol/L (range: 6.1–7.2); in control: 5.7 mmol/L (range: 4.9–6.1); microalbuminurea in NPDR: 10.6 mg/L (range: 5.6–20); in PDR: 25.2 mg/L (range: 17–40); in control: 5.3 mg/L (range: 2.6–10); Body mass index in NPDR: 26 Kg/m2 (range: 20.3–40); in PDR: 28 Kg/m2 (range 20.3–52); in control: 21 Kg/m2 (range 19–26). The TNF-alpha concentrations in tears increase with the severity of pathology and were lower in control group than in diabetic subjects. In the end, the level of TNF-alpha is highly correlated with severity of diabetic retinopathy and with nephropathy. Tear fluid collection may be a useful noninvasive method for the detection of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
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spelling doaj-art-6db071aaf3134670b3126a0dfd8435042025-08-20T02:06:27ZengWileyMediators of Inflammation0962-93511466-18612013-01-01201310.1155/2013/629529629529TNF-Alpha Levels in Tears: A Novel Biomarker to Assess the Degree of Diabetic RetinopathyC. Costagliola0V. Romano1M. De Tollis2F. Aceto3R. dell’Omo4M. R. Romano5C. Pedicino6F. Semeraro7Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, ItalySecond University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80100 Naples, Italy“Casa di Cura Villa Maria”, Campobasso, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy“Casa di Cura Villa Maria”, Campobasso, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Specialities, Radiological Specialities and Public Health, Eye Clinic, University of Brescia, Brescia, ItalyWe assess the level of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in tear fluids and other serum parameters associated with diabetes in different degrees of diabetic retinopathy. We have performed a prospective, nonrandomized, observational study. Study population consisted of 16 healthy subjects (controls) and 32 type 2 diabetic patients: 16 affected by proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and 16 with nonproliferative retinopathy (NDPR, background/preproliferative). Body mass index, urinary albumin, blood glucose, HbA1c, and tear levels of TNF-alpha were measured in all subjects. The value of glycaemia, microalbuminurea, and Body mass index in diabetic retinopathy groups were higher than those in control group (). Glycemia in NPDR: 6.6 mmol/L (range: 5.8–6.3); in PDR: 6.7 mmol/L (range: 6.1–7.2); in control: 5.7 mmol/L (range: 4.9–6.1); microalbuminurea in NPDR: 10.6 mg/L (range: 5.6–20); in PDR: 25.2 mg/L (range: 17–40); in control: 5.3 mg/L (range: 2.6–10); Body mass index in NPDR: 26 Kg/m2 (range: 20.3–40); in PDR: 28 Kg/m2 (range 20.3–52); in control: 21 Kg/m2 (range 19–26). The TNF-alpha concentrations in tears increase with the severity of pathology and were lower in control group than in diabetic subjects. In the end, the level of TNF-alpha is highly correlated with severity of diabetic retinopathy and with nephropathy. Tear fluid collection may be a useful noninvasive method for the detection of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/629529
spellingShingle C. Costagliola
V. Romano
M. De Tollis
F. Aceto
R. dell’Omo
M. R. Romano
C. Pedicino
F. Semeraro
TNF-Alpha Levels in Tears: A Novel Biomarker to Assess the Degree of Diabetic Retinopathy
Mediators of Inflammation
title TNF-Alpha Levels in Tears: A Novel Biomarker to Assess the Degree of Diabetic Retinopathy
title_full TNF-Alpha Levels in Tears: A Novel Biomarker to Assess the Degree of Diabetic Retinopathy
title_fullStr TNF-Alpha Levels in Tears: A Novel Biomarker to Assess the Degree of Diabetic Retinopathy
title_full_unstemmed TNF-Alpha Levels in Tears: A Novel Biomarker to Assess the Degree of Diabetic Retinopathy
title_short TNF-Alpha Levels in Tears: A Novel Biomarker to Assess the Degree of Diabetic Retinopathy
title_sort tnf alpha levels in tears a novel biomarker to assess the degree of diabetic retinopathy
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/629529
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