Narin NASIROGLU IMGA^1,, Hilal BITEN², Zeliha YAZAR^{3, 4}, Mehmet ONEN³, Canan TOPCUOGLU⁵, Serhat HAYME⁶, Dilek BERKER¹, Serdar GULER^{1, 7}

Purpose: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a frequent complication of DM (Diabetes Mellitus) and a leading cause of visual impairments. Serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is an antioxidant enzyme that has antiatherogenic properties and plays a role in inhibiting the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). We investigate the levels of serum PON1 activity and low-grade inflammatory markers in patients with proliferative DR (PDR) or nonproliferative DR (NPDR); and with or without diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: We evaluated 91 DM patients and 40 controls. Serum PON1 activity, HbA1c, lipid profile, hsCRP, homocysteine (Hcy), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels were compared between patients without DR, with DR and control groups. Patients with DR were evaluated according to PDR or NPDR and the presence of macular edema or not. Results: Patients with DR and without DR, the HbA1c, LDL, NLR, Hcy, hsCRP levels were found significantly higher than controls, while serum PON1 activity was not differ. Serum PON1 activity was found significantly lower in patients with PDR and DME. Conclusion: We found serum PON1 activity was significantly lower in PDR and DME patients. Low PON1 activity may be a risk factor for PDR and DME and can be useful for further evaluation.

Paraoxonase 1, Proliferative Retinopathy, Macular Edema, Diabetes Mellitus