Abstract:AIM: To examine the mechanism of the development of pseudoexfoliation (PSX) syndrome via both cytokine formation and endothelial vasorelaxing and growth factors that will provide us new therapeutic insights for the treatment.METHODS: This is a cross sectional study included two groups; Group 1:control patients with nuclear cataract (n=20, aged 51-80 years). Group 2:PSX patients with nuclear cataract (n=18, aged 50-90 years). Patients with other ophthalmic problems and systemic diseases were excluded. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and nitrotyrosine levels were determined through serum samples by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Nitrite-nitrate levels were measured with photometric endpoint determination.RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, VEGF, IL-1β, nitrite-nitrate and nitrotyrosine. The significant results were the mean IL-6 levels that were higher in PSX group 2 (37.68±29.52 pg/mL) compared to that in control group 1 (15.32±10.08 pg/mL) (P<0.001).CONCLUSION: Several interacting and extending biochemical pathways may lead to the promotion of VEGF and IL-6 expressions. IL-6 which is the only altered marker in our study may indirectly cause an increase of vascular permeability and neovascularization. We suggest inflammation as a factor that can be involved in etiopathogenesis of PSX.
