Evaluation of IL-6 and TNF-α in tears and serum in age-Related macular degeneration

Rosli, Abdul Hadi and Abdul Aziz, Che Badariah and Ab Hamid, Siti Azrin and Zunaina, Embong (2026) Evaluation of IL-6 and TNF-α in tears and serum in age-Related macular degeneration. Tropical medicine & international health, 31 (1). pp. 1-8. ISSN 1360-2276 E-ISSN 1365-3156

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Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the tears and serum of patients with age-related macular degeneration, as well as to identify the factors associated with IL-6 and TNF-α levels in tears. Methods: This was a comparative, cross-sectional study involving age-related macular degeneration patients and a control group. Tear samples were collected using Schirmer paper strips, while 3mL of blood was obtained from each patient. IL-6 and TNF-α levels in tears and serum were measured using a commercial human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The study analysed the effects of duration of age-related macular degeneration, disease stage, and smoking status on IL-6 and TNF-α levels in tears, aiming to determine their associations. Results: A total of 142 patients were recruited for this study, including 56 patients with early age-related macular degeneration, 56 patients with late neovascular age-related macular degeneration, and 30 patients in the control group. Age-related macular degeneration patients exhibited significantly higher mean levels of IL-6 in both tears and serum, as well as TNF-α in serum, compared to the control group, both before and after adjusting for covariates (21.97±10.95 vs. 16.06±10.00pg/mL, p=0.008 and p=0.014; 12.00±6.04 vs. 8.53±4.13pg/mL, p=0.004 and p=0.004; 18.58±7.90 vs. 13.61±4.86pg/mL, p=0.001 and p=0.004, respectively). Within the age-related macular degeneration group, the mean IL-6 level in serum was significantly higher in pa�tients with late neovascular age-related macular degeneration compared to those with early age-related macular degeneration (13.89±6.08 vs. 10.11±5.41pg/mL, p=0.001). The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in tears were not associated with the duration of age-related macular degeneration, the stages of age-related macular degeneration, or smoking status. Conclusion: There are significantly higher levels of IL-6 in both tears and serum, whereas tears and serum TNF-α serve as non�specific biomarkers for age-related macular degeneration. This study could serve as a basis for future research.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	age-related macular degeneration | interleukin-6,tears,tumour necrosis factor-alpha
Subjects:	R Medicine > RE Ophthalmology
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Medicine Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Ophthalmology
Depositing User:	Dr Abdul Hadi Rosli
Date Deposited:	16 Feb 2026 16:25
Last Modified:	16 Feb 2026 16:25
Queue Number:	2026-02-Q2229
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/127302

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