Erythropoietin concentrations in the vitreous body from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Objective: To measure erythropoietin (Epo) levels in the vitreous body from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Methods: Undiluted vitreous samples were obtained from 44 patients who had not undergone prior vitreous or intraocular surgery. Patients were divided into two groups: A (n= 24) patients with PDR and B (n= 20) patients with retinal detachment, preretinal macular membranes and macular holes. Epo was determined using radioimmunoassay.

Results: Epo vitreous concentration in group A was 512 mU/mL (range 120-880) and in group B was 25.1 mU/mL (range 5.2-201) (p< 0.001).

Conclusions: These results show that the concentration of Epo in the vitreous body was significantly higher in patients with PDR than in the control group.