Relationship between diabetic retinopathy and liver enzyme activities

Aim: In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between diabetic retinopathy and liver enzyme activities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods: Thirty-eight eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy were included in our study. Twenty-five eyes with idiopathic epiretinal membrane were included in the control group. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age and gender. Undiluted vitreous samples (0.1 ml) of all patients were collected at the beginning of vitreoretinal surgery and stored at-80 degrees C until analysis. Vitreous and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels of all patients were analyzed. Serum glucose, HbA1C, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) levels were also analyzed. Results: Serum glucose and HbA1c levels were higher in the diabetic patient group (p<0.001). Serum GFR values were lower in the diabetic patient group (p<0.005). Vitreous AST levels were higher in the diabetic patient group (p=0.037). However, serum AST, ALT, ALP and GGT levels were not different between the two groups (p>0.05). There was a positive correlation between serum AST and vitreous AST levels (p=0.01). Serum GFR levels were also correlated with serum ALT levels (p= 0.034). Discussion: Although serum levels of liver enzyme activities are within normal limits in patients with diabetes mellitus, an increase in vitreous AST levels may occur. AST may be an indicator of retinal damage in diabetic retinopathy.