Serum Growth Factor Analysis in Dry Eye Syndrome

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Serum Growth Factor Analysis in Dry Eye
Syndrome Jay C. Bradley, M.D., David L.
McCartney, M.D. Department of Ophthalmology and
Visual Sciences Texas Tech University Health
Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
Correspondence Jay C. Bradley, M.D. 3601 4th St,
STOP 7217 Lubbock, TX 79430 E-maildocjayb_at_aol.com
Tel [phone] Fax[phone]
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Purpose Our study detected, quantified, and
characterized serum components by enzyme-linked
immunosorbant assay (ELISA) in dry eye syndrome
patients. By analyzing these numerous serum
components, further characterization of dry eye
syndrome and illumination of its pathogenesis was
attained.
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Methods Blood samples were collected by
standard sterile laboratory technique from
symptomatic dry eye syndrome patients and age-
and gender-matched controls. Diagnosis of dry eye
syndrome was based on Schirmer testing (Basic
secretion testing (BST) or Schirmer I lt 5 mm or
Schirmer II lt 10) extensive fluorescein, Rose
bengal, or lissamine green staining tear break
up time lt 10 seconds decreased tear meniscus
(lt0.2 mm) and/or other clinical findings and
associated symptomology. Centrifugation was
performed after adequate clotting time to
separate the serum components. ELISA testing was
performed on all samples.
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ELISA Pictorial
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Results Average age of patients and controls
was 67.33 years (range 4683) and 69.33 years
(range 5284), respectively. In the dry eye
syndrome group, epidermal growth factor (GF)
levels were 255.83117.25 pg/ml (controls
199.7464.74 pg/ml, p0.418) keratinocyte GF
levels were 7.675.84 (controls 10.634.98 pg/ml,
p0.121) hepatocyte GF levels were 151.2093.09
pg/ml (controls 129.3246.11 pg/ml, p0.394)
transforming GF-?1 levels were 37.6824.18 ng/ml
(controls 44.0513.99 ng/ml, p0.589)
insulin-like GF-1 levels were 58.1416.76 ng/ml
(controls 59.6925.29 ng/ml, p0.937)
interleukin-6 levels were 2.341.41 pg/ml
(controls 3.122.87 pg/ml, p1.000) tumor
necrosis factor-alpha levels were 1.531.04 pg/ml
(controls 1.780.50 pg/ml, p0.589). Levels of
acidic fibroblast GF and interleukin-1 alpha
levels were below detectable limits in both
groups.
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Conclusion Differences in the averages of
tested growth factors and inflammatory markers
were found but did not reach statistical
significance. These findings suggest possible
systemic changes in dry eye syndrome and merit
further analysis in a larger patient population.
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Acknowledgements Rachael H. Bradley, PhD
performed ELISA testing and Rockefellar Young,
PhD performed statistical analysis.