Purpose: To measure levels of various inflammation-related cytokines in the aqueous humor of patients with acute primary angle-closure (APAC) and senile cataract.
Methods: Aqueous humor samples were prospectively collected from 23 eyes (12 eyes with current APAC and 11 eyes with previous APAC) of 23 APAC patients and 15 eyes of 15 cataract patients. The levels of 15 inflammation-related cytokines in the aqueous humor of APAC and cataract subjects were measured by using the multiplex bead immunoassay technique. Data on patient demographics and preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) were also collected for correlation analysis.
Results: Compared with the group with previous APAC and the cataract group, the group with current APAC showed clear and significantly elevated concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, MCP-3, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (all P < 0.0167). The group with previous APAC and the cataract group had similar levels of cytokines. Intraocular pressure was positively correlated with IL-8 (P = 0.001), G-CSF (P = 0.002), MCP-3 (P < 0.001), and VEGF (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: An early "acute inflammatory" condition occurs in eyes with current APAC. In addition to controlling IOP, anti-inflammatory treatments are necessary for eyes suffering from APAC.
Keywords: acute primary angle-closure; aqueous humor; cytokines; inflammation.