Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in the development of diabetic retinopathy. Previous studies have suggested that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor therapy may reduce vitreous VEGF concentration in diabetic retinopathy. Also HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), known for their beneficial effects on vascular endothelium, might influence vitreous VEGF concentration in diabetic retinopathy.
Aim: Vitreous VEGF concentration of diabetic patients with proliferative retinopathy using statin therapy and/or ACE inhibitor therapy was studied.
Methods: Fifty diabetic patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, 21 diabetic control patients without proliferative retinopathy, and 43 non-diabetic control subjects underwent vitrectomy. Vitreous samples were collected at the beginning of surgery, and VEGF concentration was assessed using a chemiluminescent VEGF immunoassay.
Results: Vitreous VEGF concentration was significantly higher in diabetic patients with proliferative retinopathy using statins than in those not using statins. The diabetic patients with proliferative retinopathy were divided into subgroups according to use of ACE inhibitor and/or statin medication. These groups did not differ significantly in concentration of vitreous VEGF.
Conclusions: Statin therapy is associated with high vitreous VEGF concentration in diabetic patients with proliferative retinopathy. In contrast to previous reports, ACE inhibitor use did not significantly influence vitreous VEGF concentration in these patients.