Correlation of biomarkers thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, nitric oxide and central subfield and cube average thickness in diabetic retinopathy: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundTo evaluate the role of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and nitric oxide (NO) as biochemical biomarkers and central subfield (CST) and cube average thickness (CAT) as biomarkers for medical imaging in diabetic retinopathy.MethodsForty consecutive cases of diabetic retinopathy and 20 healthy controls were included. Cases were divided into two groups: non proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 20) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 20) according to ETDRS classification. LogMAR visual acuity was documented. Plasma levels of TBARS, NO and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured using standard protocol. CST and CAT were analyzed on spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Data was analyzed statistically.ResultsIncreased severity of diabetic retinopathy was associated with an increase in plasma levels of TBARS (F = 10.92; p < 0.001), NO (F = 21.8; p < 0.001) and HbA1c (F = 5.87; p = 0.001). Increase in CST (F = 61.51; p < 0.001) and CAT (F = 60.84; p < 0.001) was also found to be associated with increased severity of diabetic retinopathy. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation of TBARS with CST (r = 0.29; p = 0.038) and CAT (r = 0.31; p = 0.04). A positive correlation of NO with CST (r = 0.27; p = 0.03) and CAT (r = 0.7; p = 0.001) was also observed. On univariate analysis with logMAR visual acuity as dependent variable, a significant increase in visual acuity was observed with increase in independent variables TBARS (B = 0.22; p = 0.004), NO (B = 0.006; p < 0.001), CST (B = 0.005; p < 0.001) and CAT (B = 0.005; p < 0.001). On multivariate linear regression analysis with logMAR visual acuity as dependent variable and adjusting for other factors like duration of diabetes and HbA1c, it was observed that increase in independent variables TBARS (B = 0.07), NO (B = 0.001) and CST (B = 0.004) independently predict increase in logMAR visual acuity (p < 0.001).ConclusionThiobarbituric acid reactive substance and nitric oxide serve as potential biochemical markers whereas central subfield and cube average thickness serve as potential biomarkers for medical imaging for severity of diabetic retinopathy. In a clinical retinal setting, CAT and CST will help in early recognition of increase in severity of diabetic retinopathy.

Association of advanced oxidation protein product, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and total sulfhydryl groups with retinal blood vessels caliber

“…However, the levels of this parameter of oxidative stress did not show a correlation with retinal blood vessels in our study. Similar results are presented in the study [17]. TBARS serve as potential biomarkers for DR.…”

The potential of spectral domain optical coherence tomography imaging based retinal biomarkers

“…Several studies have correlated OCT based retinal thickness with visual acuity in diabetic macular edema [7–10]. We observed an increase in CST and CAT on SD-OCT with increased severity of retinopathy.…”

The subthreshold micropulse laser treatment of the retina restores the oxidant/antioxidant balance and counteracts programmed forms of cell death in the mice eyes

“…In physiological conditions, ROS are normally produced by the RPE of the macula, which has a high metabolic demand. It is notable, however, that those structures have robust antioxidant systems that protect them from the oxidative stress (Tate et al 1995;Ruia et al 2016;Lutty 2017).…”