Evaluation of the role of apelin in diabetic retinopathy

PurposeThe study was designed to evaluate the role of apelin in diabetic retinopathy by measuring the concentration of plasma apelin and correlating the results between the control group, diabetic patients without and with retinopathy, and diabetic patients after treatment with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP).MethodsThe study included four groups: group A consisted of 20 normal individuals as the control group, group B consisted of 20 diabetic patients without retinopathy, group C consisted of 20 diabetic patients with untreated proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and group D consisted of the same patients of group C after treatment with PRP. Plasma apelin was measured in all groups and interpretation of the results was carried out.ResultsThe study revealed that plasma apelin increased significantly in diabetic patients with PDR (mean 1.6 ng/ml) compared with the control group (mean 0.98 ng/ml) and with diabetic patients without retinopathy (mean 0.97 ng/ml). Plasma apelin decreased nonsignificantly in diabetic patient with PDR after treatment with PRP (mean 1.2 ng/ml).ConclusionApelin plays an important role in retinal angiogenesis in diabetic patients; measurement of plasma apelin may be a good indicator for ischemic retinal condition, especially in the absence of other ischemic manifestations in the body.