Abstract

Study Design: Cross-Sectional
Purpose: To study the role of AGEs as biomolecular biomarkers of PDR.
Methods:80 consecutive cases of type 2 DM. Subjects: no retinopathy (No DR) (n=20); NPDR(n=20); PDR (n=20) and controls (n=20). AGEs were assessed by assay of Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine (Nε-CML). NεCML was assessed using ROC curve analysis and AUC was determined.
Results: The mean levels of Nε-CML – 31.3 ± 21.2 ng/ml, 73.9 ± 35.0 ng/ml, 91.2 ± 66.7 ng/ml, and132.0 ± 84.0 ng/ml in control, No DR, NPDR and PDR respectively. On ANOVA, the Nε-CML level was significantly different between the study groups (control, No DR, NPDR and PDR) (p < 0.001). Mean logMAR visual acuity decreased with increased levels of Nε-CML (p < 0.001). On AUC analysis, the following values were obtained- NODR=0.67, NPDR =0.69 and PDR = 0.84, showing that AGEs are the most sensitive biomarkers for PDR in DR.
Conclusion: AGEs serve as biomolecular biomarkers for PDR and indicate the disease conversion from NPDR to PDR.

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