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Reduced Aqueous Humor TGF-β2 Levels in Diabetic Cataract: A Comparative Analysis with NF-κB
Duygu Tozcu Yilmaz1, Mehmet Ali Gul2, Mustafa Capraz3
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Amasya University, Amasya 05100, Türkiye.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Type 2 diabetes may lower transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-β2) levels in the eye
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes can disrupt immune regulation in the anterior segment of the eye.
- Transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-β2) is crucial for maintaining ocular immune privilege.
- Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) is associated with inflammatory activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare aqueous humor levels of TGF-β2 and NF-κB in cataract patients with and without diabetes.
- To investigate the potential of these biomarkers in distinguishing diabetic status.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cross-sectional study involving 90 cataract patients (30 diabetic, 60 non-diabetic).
- Aqueous humor samples collected via anterior chamber needle aspiration.
- TGF-β2 and NF-κB levels measured using ELISA; statistical analyses included between-group comparisons and ROC curve analysis.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower TGF-β2 levels were observed in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients (p < 0.001).
- No significant difference in NF-κB levels was found between the groups (p = 0.285).
- Lower TGF-β2 levels in diabetics remained significant after adjusting for cataract grade and hypertension duration.
Conclusions:
- Reduced aqueous humor TGF-β2 in diabetic cataract patients suggests a potential role in early immune dysregulation.
- TGF-β2 suppression may precede overt inflammation in the anterior segment.
- Further validation in larger studies is needed to confirm TGF-β2's clinical biomarker potential.
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