AIM:To observe the correlation between serum level of platelet derived growth factor -BB(PDGF-BB)and diabetic retinopathy(DR)in type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODS: Seventy-five cases of healthy subjects underwent physical examination were taken as control group. Diabetic patients were divided into non-diabetic retinopathy group(NDR, 25 cases), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy group(NPDR, 25 cases)and proliferative diabetic retinopathy group(PDR, 25 cases). Serum level of each group was measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA). Correlation between serum PDGF-BB level and stages of diabetes mellitus, macular thickness, glycosylated hemoglobin, and other biochemical indexes in serum were analyzed.

RESULTS: Serum level of PDGF-BB in control group(400.28±44.55pg/mL), NDR(409.65±50.37pg/mL), NPDR(535.67±69.21pg/mL)and PDR subgroup(551.60±103.46pg/mL)were significantly different(F=14.259, P<0.01). Serum level of PDGF-BB in NPDR group and PDR group were higher compared to control group and NDR subgroup. Multiple regression analysis showed that serum level of PDGF-BB positively correlated with fasting blood glucose(FBG), triglycerides(TG)and stages of diabetes(P<0.05). Serum level of PDGF-BB in PDR subgroup correlated with the thickness of macular(r=0.613, P<0.05). Whereas, this correlation was not observed in other groups(r_C=0.013, r_NDR=0.051, r_NPDR=0.062; P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Serum PDGF-BB level was observed to rise with severity of DR and relevant to macula edema. It was also positively correlated to FPG, TG and stages of diabetes. PDGF-BB could be recommended as diagnostic biomarker for DR.