Comparison of HIF-1α and survivin levels in patients with diabetes and retinopathy of varying severity.

PURPOSE: This study measured serum hypoxia--inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α) and survivin levels in patients with diabetes and investigated their association with the severity of retinopathy.

METHODS: This study included 88 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who underwent routine eye examinations. Three groups were created. Group 1 consisted of patients without diabetic retinopathy. Group 2 included patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Group 3 included patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. To measure serum HIF-1α and survivin levels, venous blood samples were collected from patients.

RESULTS: The mean HIF-1α levels in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 17.30 ± 2.19, 17.79 ± 2.34, and 14.19 ± 2.94 pg/ml, respectively. Significant differences were detected between groups 1 and 3 (p=0.01) and between groups 2 and 3 (p=0.01). The mean survivin levels in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 42.65 ± 5.37, 54.92 ± 5.55, and 37.46 ± 8.09 pg/ml, respectively. A significant difference was only detected between groups 2 and 3 (p=0.002).

CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that serum HIF-1α and survivin levels are increased in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy compared to those in patients without diabetic retinopathy.