Ischemia Modified Albumin Levels and Thiol-Disulphide Homeostasis in Diabetic Macular Edema in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Purpose: It was aimed to assess the role of thiol-disulphide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) level in the development of diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM).

Materials and methods: Sixty-six study patients were divided into two groups. Group I included 43 patients with T2DM and DME, and Group 2 included 23 patients with T2DM without eye involvement. A novel colorimetric method was used to assess thiol-disulphide homeostasis. Between the two groups IMA, total anti-oxidant, and total oxidant levels were measured and compared.

Results: In Group 1, total and native thiols levels and disulphide levels were lower compared to Group 2 (p = 0.025, p<0.001 and p = 0.013, respectively). Disulphide/native thiol, disulphide/total thiol ratios and native thiol/total thiol were similar between the groups. Total anti-oxidant level (TAL) reduced whereas total oxidant level (TOL) increased in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p=0.001, p=0.002, respectively). Albumin level decreased, whereas IMA level increased in Group 1 compared to Group 2, (p<0.001 for both).

Conclusions: The disruption in thiol/disulphide homeostasis, increased IMA and oxidative stress have an impact on the development of diabetic macular edema.

Keywords: Albumin; Diabetic eye disease; Disulphide; Reactive oxygen species; Thiols.