Background
Apolipoprotein concentrations in reflex tears from healthy and
noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) subjects were measured and correlated
with the stage of diabetic retinopathy.
Methods and results
The apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) concentrations in the tears from NIDDM
patients with retinopathy were significantly higher than those from patients with no
or negligible retinopathy (P < 0·05), and apo A-I was not
detected in healthy subjects by Western blotting. No reactive band was detected on
apo A-I by Western blotting for nitrotyrosine, a marker for peroxynitrite oxidation
of the tear proteins. Apo A-I concentration in tears was significantly correlated
with the stage of retinopathy (r = 0·598, n = 59,
P < 0·001). No apo A-I gene expression was detected in the
conjunctiva by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
Conclusions
We conclude that there is increased secretion of native apo A-I from the main
lacrimal gland in patients with advanced diabetic retinopathy.
