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Abstract #10561 Published in IGR 6-2
Elevated homocysteine levels in aqueous humor of patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma
Bleich S; Roedl J; von Ahsen N; Schlotzer-Schrehardt U; Reulbach U; Beck G; Kruse FE; Naumann GO; Kornhuber J; Junemann AGAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology 2004; 138: 162-4
PURPOSE: To determine total homocysteine levels in aqueous humor of pseudoexfoliation open-angle glaucoma patients. DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: Total homocysteine levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in aqueous humor and plasma of 29 patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and 31 control patients with cataract. Patients with factors affecting homocysteine levels were excluded. RESULTS: We observed significantly elevated (twofold) homocysteine levels in the aqueous humor of the glaucoma patients (Z = -5.11, P <.0001). Additionally, the calculated ratio (plasma:aqueous humor) was significantly lower in these patients (Z = -3.57, P <.001), and aqueous homocysteine was significantly correlated with their respective elevated plasma levels (r =.42, P =.02). CONCLUSIONS: Because homocysteine induces vascular injury and alterations of extracellular matrix, high aqueous homocysteine may trigger the abnormal matrix accumulation characteristic. It may reflect the proposed impairment of the blood-aqueous barrier of pseudoexfoliation open-angle glaucoma and be involved in its pathogenesis.
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (S.B., U.R., G.B., J.K.), Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
Classification:
9.4.4.1 Exfoliation syndrome (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.4 Glaucomas associated with other ocular and systemic disorders > 9.4.4 Glaucomas associated with disorders of the lens)