Evaluation of Serum Homocysteine and Leptin Levels in Patients with Uveitis

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the serum homocysteine (Hcy) and leptin levels in patients with uveitis. Materials and Methods: The 70 cases included in the study comprised 3 groups: patients with Behcet's uveitis (BU), patients with non-Behcet's uveitis (NBU) and healthy controls. Body mass index was calculated for each subject. Serum Hcy and leptin levels were measured. Furthermore, acute-phase reactants including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein and neutrophil count were measured. Results: Serum Hcy levels were 15.04 +/- 4.59 mu mol/L in the BU group, 15.4 +/- 6.87 mu mol/L in the NBU group and 13.64 +/- 4.72 mu mol/L in the control group (p>0.05). The serum leptin levels of male patients in the BU group, NBU group and control group were 4.76 +/- 3.54 ng/ml, 6.33 +/- 3.74 ng/ml and 5.47 +/- 6.33 ng/ml, respectively (p>0.05). When we compared serum leptin levels in female patients and controls, the mean serum leptin concentrations were significantly higher in female BU and NBU patients (24.83 +/- 17.62 ng/ml and 28.46 +/- 13.90 ng/ml, respectively) than in healthy control volunteers (9.62 +/- 6.36 ng/ml, p<0.05). In addition, the ESR value differences between groups were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: A larger case series is necessary to investigate serum Hcy and leptin concentrations in uveitis patients.