AIM: To detect IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α expression levels in serum and aqueous humor of patients with neovascular glaucoma(NVG)and explore the significance.

METHODS:A prospective case analysis method was applied to include patients with neovascular glaucoma in 38 cases(38 eyes), and according to grading criteria of iris neovascularization, they were divided into grade Ⅱ with 8 eyes, grade Ⅲ with 19 eyes, grade Ⅳ with 11 eyes. Thirty-one patients(31 eyes)with primary open angle glaucoma(POAG)and 33 patients(33 eyes)with age related cataract were selected as the control. IOP level was detected preoperatively, and venous blood and aqueous humor samples of patients were selected, and IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α contents in serum and humor were detected by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).

RESULTS:IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α levels in serum and aqueous humor of NVG group were significantly higher than those in POAG group and cataract group(P<0.05). IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α levels in serum and aqueous humor of POAG group were significantly higher than those in cataract group(P<0.05). IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α levels in serum and aqueous humor of grade ⅣNVG group were significantly higher than those of patients with grade Ⅲ(P<0.05). IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α levels in serum and aqueous humor of patients with grade Ⅲ were significantly higher than those of grade Ⅱ(P<0.05). IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α levels in serum and aqueous humor of NVG patients were positively correlated with IOP(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α are highly-expressed in serum and aqueous humor of NVG patients. It may be involved in iris neovascularization and intraocular pressure elevation.