Intraocular and systemic levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in advanced cases of retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract

Purpose:To measure vitreous, aqueous, subretinal fluid and plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in late stages of retinopathy of prematurity.Methods:Interventional study. We enrolled patients with clinical diagnoses of bilateral stage V retinopathy of prematurity, confirmed by b-scan ultrasound and programmed for vitrectomy. During surgery we took samples from blood, aqueous, vitreous, and subretinal fluids. The vascular endothelial growth factor concentration in each sample was measured by ELISA reaction. A control sample of aqueous, vitreous and blood was taken from patients with congenital cataract programmed for phacoemulsification. For statistical analysis, a Mann–Whitney and a Wilcoxon W test was done with a significant P value of 0.05.Results:We took samples of 16 consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria. The vascular endothelial growth factor levels in the study group were: aqueous, 76.81 ± 61.89 pg/mL; vitreous, 118.53 ± 65.87 pg/mL; subretinal fluid, 1636.58 ± 356.47 pg/mL; and plasma, 74.64 ± 43.94 pg/mL. There was a statistical difference between the study and the control group (P < 0.001) in the aqueous and vitreous samples.Conclusion:Stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity has elevated intraocular levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, which remains high despite severe retinal lesion. There was no statistical difference in plasma levels of the molecule between the control and study group.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Following Bevacizumab Injections for Retinopathy of Prematurity

“…This occurs after initial retinal hypoxia leads to upregulation of VEGF that consequently induces excessive neovascularisation. 7,21,22 Although blocking VEGF locally may confer benefit, blocking its effects systemically may have unanticipated consequences especially in infants because VEGF is critical for neurogenesis during brain development. 23 The pharmacokinetics and systemic safety of intraocular anti-VEGF agents are just being unraveled.…”

Expression of cytokines on the iris of patients with neovascular glaucoma

“…High levels of VEGF have been found in the aqueous and vitreous from subjects with DR (Endo et al 2000), neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (Jonas et al 2012;Miao et al 2012;Muether et al 2013), retinal vein occlusion (RVO) (Feng et al 2013) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (Velez-Montoya et al 2010). It has also been shown that IOP level as well as success rates of surgical intervention in NVG subjects were associated with the intraocular level of VEGF ).…”

“…It has also been shown that IOP level as well as success rates of surgical intervention in NVG subjects were associated with the intraocular level of VEGF ). Moreover, treatment of NVG with anti-VEGF has been proved to be an effective approach (Velez-Montoya et al 2010;Campochiaro 2012;Munk et al 2013;Wallace & Wu 2013). Lower levels of VEGF in the eye have been associated with regression of NVG.…”

Prematüre Retinopatisi Etyopatogenezinde Serum Eritropoetin, İnsülin Benzeri Büyüme Faktörü 1 ve Vasküler Endotelyel Büyüme Faktörü

“…Kwinta ve ark. 20 23 da benzer şekilde vitreus içindeki VEGF seviyelerini kontrol grubuna göre yüksek bulurken serum seviyelerini kontrol grubundan anlamlı olarak farklı bulmamışlardır. Ancak vitreus VEGF seviyelerini değerlendirirken VEGF'in bir kısmının kan retina bariyerinin bozulmasıyla vitreusa sistemik yoldan geçiş yaptığını önceki bir çalışmamız düşündürmektedir.…”