Clinical Study
Eye (2009) 23, 1066–1071; doi:10.1038/eye.2008.230; published online 1 August 2008
Vitreous levels of erythropoietin in patients with macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusions: a comparative study with diabetic macular oedema
J Garcí-Arumí1,2, A Fonollosa1, C Macià1, C Hernandez3,4, V Martinez-Castillo1, A Boixadera1, M A Zapata1 and R Simo3,4
- 1Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Vall d' Hebron, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- 2Instituto de Microcirugía Ocular (IMO), Barcelona, Spain
- 3CIBERdem (Carlos III Health Institute), Barcelona, Spain
- 4Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes Research Unit, Institut de Recerca Hospital Universitari Vall d' Hebron, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Correspondence: A Fonollosa, Department of Opthalmology, Hospital Vall de Hebron, Paseo Vall deHebron 119-129, Barcelona 8035, Spain. Tel: +34 646844328; Fax: +34 93 2746185. E-mail: 36427afc@comb.es
Received 18 March 2008; Revised 25 June 2008; Accepted 25 June 2008; Published online 1 August 2008.
Abstract
Objective
In a recent study, we found high levels of erythropoietin (EPO) in patients with diabetic macular oedema (DME), suggesting a role of EPO in the pathogenesis of this condition. To investigate a possible relationship between EPO and other diseases causing macular oedema, we determined vitreous levels of this peptide in patients with macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and compared them with levels in patients with DME and control patients.
Methods
Vitreous and serum samples were obtained from patients with macular oedema secondary to RVO, DME, epiretinal membrane, and macular hole (controls). EPO was measured by radioimmunoassay.
Results
No differences were found in median vitreous EPO levels between patients with RVO and controls: RVO, 76 mU/ml (30–806) vs controls, 25 mU/ml (10–75) (P=0.105). Median EPO concentration was higher in DME patients than in patients with RVO or controls: DME, 430 mU/ml (41–3000) vs RVO, 76 mU/ml (30–806) (P<0.0001) vs controls, 25 mU/ml (10–75) (P<0.0001).
Conclusions
EPO levels are not elevated in patients with macular oedema secondary to RVO. Patients with DME have high levels of EPO. These results suggest that EPO could be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, but not in macular oedema secondary to RVO.
