Endothelium dysfunction markers in patients with diabetic retinopathy

Hyperglycaemia is one of the reasons of endothelial dysfunction and damage. Soluble adhesion molecules such as sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 and vWF factor are considered as markers of endothelial damage. Vascular complications of diabetes can affect also small vessels and manifest as diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy. The aim of the study was to compare the serum concentration of endothelial dysfunction markers in patients with non-proliferative, proliferative retinopathy and diabetics not developing retinopathy. 28 patients with diabetes type 2 were included in the study (12 without retinopathy, 9 with non-proliferative and 7 with proliferative retinopathy). In obtained blood samples serum levels of sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 and vWF were measured. There were no statistically significant differences in tested markers of endothelial dysfunction between groups.