Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
VEGF levels in diabetic and nondiabetic dogs with cataracts
By Abrams, Kenneth L et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2011·Veterinary Ophthalmology Services, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Vascular endothelial growth factor in diabetic and nondiabetic canine cataract patients.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with cataracts, including both diabetic and nondiabetic dogs, had their eye fluid and blood tested for a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The results showed that diabetic dogs had higher levels of VEGF in their blood compared to nondiabetic dogs, but the levels in their eye fluid were similar. Interestingly, older nondiabetic dogs had higher blood VEGF levels than younger ones. This study suggests that diabetic dogs may have a protective mechanism against eye problems related to diabetes, as their eye fluid VEGF levels did not increase.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To measure vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in aqueous humor, serum, and plasma in diabetic and nondiabetic cataractous dogs. METHODS: Canine VEGF was assayed in the plasma and serum of 32 dogs (20 diabetics; 12 nondiabetics) and aqueous humor in 57 eyes of those dogs (39 diabetic; 18 nondiabetic) undergoing phacoemulsification, using a commercial canine VEGF assay. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's PLSD, t-test, and regression analysis to compare values by diabetic status, duration of diabetes, age, weight, gender, left vs. right eye, and blood clarity. RESULTS: Plasma, but not serum or aqueous humor VEGF values of diabetics were significantly greater than nondiabetics (P = 0.019). Older nondiabetics (10-15 years) had higher plasma VEGF values than younger (0-5 and 5-10 years) dogs (P = 0.0002 and 0.0001, respectively). There was no significant difference in aqueous humor VEGF between left and right eyes in all patients. Serum and plasma, but not aqueous humor, VEGF values in females were significantly higher than males in both groups. CONCLUSION: Similar to human diabetic patients, VEGF aqueous humor values in all dogs are significantly higher than blood values. Aqueous humor VEGF values in human diabetics are elevated and correlate with the severity of diabetic retinopathy. However, aqueous humor values of VEGF in diabetic dogs are not greater than nondiabetics and may serve to protect the dog against development of diabetic retinopathy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21366824/