Evaluation of biochemical composition of vitreous of eyes of diabetic patients using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate possible metabolic changes in vitreous of patients with diabetes mellitus with or without diabetic retinopathy using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Material and methods: Twenty-eight healthy control subjects (group 1), 18 patients with diabetes mellitus without diabetic retinopathy (group 2) and 18 patients with diabetic retinopathy (group 3) were included. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed in left vitreous of all subjects; amounts of Glutamate, Choline, Lactate and Creatine values were measured. Choline/Creatine, Glutamate/Creatine and Lactate/Creatine ratios were calculated. Results: Glutamate/Creatine and Lactate/Creatine ratios were significantly higher in group 2 and 3 when compared to group 1. Both Glutamate/Creatine and Lactate/Creatine ratios did not show any difference in group 2 when compared to group 3. Conclusions: Our results suggest that when compared to healthy subjects, Glutamate and Lactate are the main metabolites of vitreous in diabetes mellitus patients. This may help us to better understand the metabolic factors in pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.