Plasma and aqueous levels of subfatin, preptin and betatrophin in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

AIM: To examine subfatin, preptin and betatrophin levels in plasma and aqueous in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) (with and without retinopathy). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Sixty patients, who were similar in terms of age and gender, and were scheduled for operation due to cataract, were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups as Group C (20 weeks without diabetes and comorbidity), Group DM (20 patients with DM but no retinopathy) and Group DR (20 patients with diabetic retinopathy). The preoperative body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile levels of all patients in the groups were examined. Blood samples were also taken for plasma subfatin, preptin and betatrophin levels. At the beginning of the cataract surgery, 0.1 ml of aqueous fluid was taken from the anterior chamber. Plasma and aqueous subfatin, preptin and betatrophin levels were analyzed by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) method. RESULTS: In our study results, there was a significant difference in BMI, fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels (p < 0.05 for all parameters). Plasma and aqueous subfatin levels were higher in Group DR compared to Group C (p < 0.001, p = 0.036, respectively). Plasma and aqueous preptin levels were higher in group DR and group DM than in group C (p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). Plasma and aqueous betatrophin levels were higher in Group DR compared to group C (p = 0.001, p = 0.010, respectively). CONCLUSION: Subfatin, preptin and betatrophin molecules may have an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.

Evaluation of central corneal epithelial thickness with anterior segment OCT in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the central corneal thickness (CCT) and central corneal epithelial thickness (CCET) in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and the effect of the duration of diabetes, the degree of diabetic retinopathy (DR), and HbA1c level. METHODS: CCT and CCET values of 72 patients diagnosed with type 2 DM and 72 healthy individuals were measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography. The eye tear function was evaluated with the Tear Break-up Time test (TBUT) and the Schirmer test. From the results of fundus examination, the diabetic patients were grouped as those without DR, non-proliferative DR, and proliferative DR. The disease duration and the HbA1c levels were recorded. RESULTS: In the diabetic patients, the mean CCT was determined to be thicker (p = 0.025), the CCET was thinner (p = 0.003), and the TBUT and Schirmer values were lower (p <0.001, p <0.001, respectively). The duration of diabetes and the HbA1c level was not found to have any statistically significant effect on these parameters (p >0.05). The presence of retinopathy had no significant effect on CCT, TBUT, and Schirmer values. The CCET was determined to be thinner in patients with retinopathy (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As the corneal epithelial thickness is reduced in patients with advanced diabetic retinopathy, corneal epithelial pathologies can be seen more often. Therefore, early and effective treatment can be started by taking into consideration the complications which may develop associated with the corneal epithelium following surgical procedures, especially those applied to the cornea.

Plasma and aqueous humor levels of adiponutrin and pannexin 1 in patients with and without diabetic retinopathy.

AIM: To evaluate plasma and aqueous levels of adiponutrin and pannexin 1 in patients with and without diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: The study included three age and gender-matched groups of 20 cataract patients with no diabetes or additional disease (Group C), 20 cataract patients with diabetes and no retinopathy (Group DM+C), and 20 cataract patients with diabetic retinopathy (Group DR+C). All the patients were examined with respect to body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and lipid profile. Phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (Phaco+IOL) implantation were performed to all patients in all the groups, and aqueous samples were taken during the operation. The plasma and aqueous adiponutrin and pannexin 1 levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was determined between the groups with respect to BMI, fasting plasma glucose, and HbA1c levels (P<0.05 for all parameters tested). The plasma adiponutrin levels of Group DR+C were statistically significantly lower than those of Group C and Group DM+C (P<0.001, P=0.004). No statistically significant difference was determined in the aqueous adiponutrin levels in three groups. The plasma pannexin 1 levels of Groups DM+C and DR+C were statistically significantly lower than those of Group C (both P=0.001). The aqueous pannexin 1 levels of Group DR+C were statistically significantly higher than those of Group C and Group DM+C (P=0.001, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Adiponutrin and pannexin 1, which play an important role in the pathophysiology of diabetes and obesity, and have a regulatory role in hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. The measurement of adiponutrin and pannexin 1 levels may support clinicians in determining the risk of DR development.

Iodine-Induced Retinopathy: A Case Report

Potassium iodide is used as an iodine supplement in salt as part of a national program in Turkey. An overdose of iodine has a toxic effect on the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors. The case presented here is a patient who developed retinopathy following consumption of an excessive dose of iodine.

Pediatric Canaliculitis: A Case Report

Canaliculitis is a rare disease that relapses when not properly diagnosed and treated. It usually occurs in middle-age and advanced age. It is extremely rare in children and infants. A healthy 12-year-old girl presented with lower eyelid swelling and watery discharge in her right eye. During the last 2 years, the patient had been examined several times for the same complaints but there was no improvement despite treatment. Examination showed that the lower punctum had a pouting punctum appearance, and applying pressure to the lacrimal sac area resulted in purulent discharge. Lavage showed that the lacrimal passage was patent. In light of these clinical findings, the patient was diagnosed with canaliculitis. Punctoplasty with surgical curettage of the dacryoliths were performed. After the surgical procedure, a topical antibiotic was prescribed. Histopathological examination of the dacryoliths revealed that the infective cause was Actinomyces. No recurrence or complications were observed during 12 months follow-up.