AIM: To explore the mechanism of action of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3(NLRP3)/interleukin-1β(IL-1β)pathway in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

METHODS: Totally 49 cases(49 eyes)of proliferative diabetic retinopathy(study group)and 41 cases(41 eyes)of idiopathic macular hole(control group)in ophthalmology department of our hospital from September 2015 to March 2018 were selected. The expression of NLRP3, the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS), malondialdehyde(MDA)and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)in proliferative epiretinal membrane and macular epiretinal membrane were measured. The concentrations of IL-1β and interleukin-18(IL-18)in the vitreous of the two groups were also determined.

RESULTS: The positive expression rate of NLRP3 protein in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group(90% vs 5%, P<0.05). The concentration of IL-1β and IL-18 in the vitreous of the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group \〖(30.84±7.15)vs(4.63±0.92);(97.61±15.73)pg/mL vs(52.07±11.38)pg/mL, P<0.05\〗. The levels of ROS and MDA of the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05). The activity of SOD in the retina of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: NLRP3 and IL-1β are highly expressed in proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The NLRP3/IL-1β pathway can up-regulate the expression levels of inflammatory and oxidative factors and promote disease progression.