Correlations Between IL-2/IL-6 Levels And Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Damage In Primary Angle-closure Glaucoma

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the levels of IL-2 and IL-6 in primary angle-closure glaucoma(PACG),and their correlation to retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)damage.Methods: 80 cases of PACG were included,and divided into three groups according to intraocular pressure(IOP): group A(IOP: 10-21 mm Hg),group B(IOP: 22-30 mm Hg)and group C(IOP: 31-60 mm Hg).40 cases with age-related cataract in the same period were selected as control group.The levels of IL-2 and IL-6 in the peripheral blood of subjects were determined with double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA),while the RNFL damage was evaluated by optical coherence tomography and automatic perimetry.Results: Our results showed that the RNFL thickness,IL-2 and IL-6 levels in case group were significantly lower than those of control group(P<0.05);the levels of IL-2,IL-6,mean defect(MD),and RNFL thickness were significant different among groups A,B and C(P<0.05).The levels of IL-2,IL-6 and RNFL thickness in group C were significantly lower than those in group A(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between groups A and B(P>0.05).The levels of IL-2,IL-6,MD and RNFL thickness in experimental group were negatively correlated with IOP(correlation coefficient=-0.280,-0.237,-0.590,-0.549,P<0.05).The level of IL-2,IL-6 and MD in experimental group were positively correlated with RNFL thickness(correlation coefficient=0.309,0.261,0.590,P<0.05).Conclusions: Decrease of IL-2 and IL-6 associated with the RNFL damage in PACG,indicating that the immune mechanisms may be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of PACG.Thus IL-2 and IL-6 may be the protective factors against PACG.