Aqueous Humor Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1α in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the contribution of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell-derived\rfactor-1α (SDF-1α) angiogenic mediators in eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).\rMethods: Aqueous humor specimens taken during cataract surgery in 7 cases of intermediate stage (nonexudative) AMD\rand 7 cases of late stage (exudative) AMD were evaluated using chemiluminescent immunoassay testing in this prospective\rcase-control study. Mediator levels were compared with the normal reference values of 7 patients without any disease\rother than cataract.\rResults: The groups were similar in terms of age and gender (p>0.05). The aqueous humor levels of VEGF in both the\rintermediate AMD (median: 224.3 pg/mL, range: 44.8–380.4 pg/mL) and late-stage AMD (median: 108.7 pg/mL, range:\r61.9-223.5 pg/mL) patients were similar to those of the control group (median: 121.1 pg/mL, range: 24.9–156.6 pg/mL)\r(p=0.256). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the SDF-1α concentrations between the intermediate AMD\r(median: 160.9 pg/mL, range 130–166.3 pg/mL), late AMD (median: 161 pg/mL, range: 154.1.9–171.6 pg/mL), and control\rgroup values (median: 161 pg/mL, range: 155.2–219 pg/mL) (p=0.763).\rConclusion: The aqueous humor levels of VEGF and SDF-1α were within the normal range in patients with intermediate\rand late-stage AMD.