High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor alpha in pseudoexfoliation syndrome

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study was to determine the alterations in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and Tumor Necrosis factor alpha levels in the blood serum of pseudoexfoliation syndrome cases [a disease with similar risk factors as systemic endothelial dysfunction diseases] and to compare the results with healthy individuals. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and Tumor Necrosis factor alpha levels were determined in 30 cases with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and in 30 control patients of the same age and sex, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of high- sensitivity C-reactive protein and Tumor Necrosis factor alpha in the blood serum of patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome [3.95 +/- 0.88 mg/1, 332 +/- 0.99 pg/ml, respectively] were significantly higher than in the control group [2.51 +/- 0.79mg/l 0.43 +/- 0.15 pg/ml, respectively] p=0.001, p=0.002. The results suggest that increased levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and Tumor Necrosis factor alpha, as markers of inflammation and peripheral endothelial dysfunction in pseudoexfoliation syndrome, may be risk factors for systemic and ocular manifestations of pseudoexfoliation syndrome