Purpose: To study the levels of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in vitreous of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and to investigate their roles in retinal ischemia.
Method: Vitreous samples were collected from 25 patients (27 eyes) with PDR and 14 patients (14 eyes) with idiopathic macular hole. Glutamate and GABA detection were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Results: Patients with PDR had significantly higher concentrations of glutamate and GABA than the control group. The glutamate level has a significantly positive correlation with GABA level.
Conclusion: Detection of glutamate and GABA in vitreous provides biochemical support for the mechanism and treatment of ischemic retinal damage in patients with PDR.