Int Ophthalmol. 2026 Jun 25;46(1):270. doi: 10.1007/s10792-026-04142-3.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate whether DEL-1 and IL-17 levels in the aqueous humor are elevated in patients with diabetic cataract and to evaluate the potential of these biomarkers for early diagnosis or for monitoring of ocular inflammation. IL-17 is a proinflammatory cytokine implicated in diabetes-related microvascular and ocular inflammatory processes, particularly in diabetic retinopathy, whereas DEL-1 is an endogenous anti-inflammatory molecule that counter-regulates IL-17-mediated immune responses and contributes to vascular and immune homeostasis.
METHODS: Aqueous humor samples were collected during cataract surgery from type 2 diabetic cataract patients without diabetic retinopathy (n = 33) and from non-diabetic cataract patients serving as controls (n = 28). DEL-1 and IL-17 concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Correlation analyses were performed to explore the associations between biomarker levels and clinical parameters, including age, duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and macular thickness.
RESULTS: Mean aqueous humor DEL-1 levels were 0.27 ± 0.21 pg/mL in diabetic cataract patients without retinopathy and 0.36 ± 0.30 pg/mL in non-diabetic controls. Mean IL-17 levels were 59.82 ± 22.16 pg/mL and 59.78 ± 20.73 pg/mL, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups for either biomarker (p = 0.305 for DEL-1; p = 0.839 for IL-17).
CONCLUSION: Aqueous humor DEL-1 and IL-17 levels were not significantly elevated in diabetic cataract patients without diabetic retinopathy, and their potential diagnostic value for detecting subclinical ocular inflammation during the pre-diabetic retinopathy stage remains to be clarified. The findings indicate that local immune responses, rather than systemic diabetes alone, may play a more critical role. Further research is warranted to clarify their clinical applicability.
PMID:42347979 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-026-04142-3