Abstract

Pathogenetic mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy are associated with the toxic effects of hyperglycemia and subsequent activation of stress-sensitive systems. The purpose was to determine the features of immune dysfunction in patients with diabetic retinopathy against the background of metabolic syndrome. Clinical and laboratory examinations of 130 patients with diabetic retinopathy have been carried out (70 insulin-dependent patients – group 1 and 60 insulin-independent patients – group 2). In determining the surveyed individuals’ contents of the lymphocyte populations and subpopulations, the monoclonal antibodies were used to CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +, CD19 +, CD23 +, CD25 +, CD56 + in the reaction of indirect immunofluorescence with fluorescein-isothiocyanate labeled antibodies and indices were calculated – the ratio of the lymphocyte populations and subpopulations. The population and subpopulation composition of blood lymphocytes were studied, and the ratio of cellular factors of immunity in patients with diabetic retinopathy was calculated. The immune status of patients with diabetic retinopathy is characterized by more pronounced changes in insulin-dependent patients’ cellular immunity – the activation of nonspecific killer immunity, suppressor potential and humoral immunity than in insulin-independent patients. The results allow the pathogenetic correction of diabetic retinopathy with the immune imbalance.