The alterations of serum nitric oxide levels in diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus. Despite intensive research effort the pathogenic mechanisms important to the initation and progression of DR are stili poorly understood. Endothelial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of DR. Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator released by endothelial cells that may play an important role in modulating the vascular tone. in this study, serum NO level in samples obtained from Type il diabetic patients with retinopathy was measured spectrophotometricly. Thirtytwo patients that were included in the study, were grouped with respect to the degree of retinopathy. An association between serum NO level of the patients and the degree of retinopaty was sought. The serum NO Ievel in patients with diabetic retinopathy was signifıcantly decreased compare to control group. For this reason it is concluded !hat this change in serum level of NO may have a role in pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy.