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Abstract #17561 Published in IGR 9-2
Homocysteine levels in aqueous humor and plasma of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma
Roedl JB; Bleich S; Reulbach U; von Ahsen N; Schlotzer-Schrehardt U; Rejdak R; Naumann GOH; Kruse FE; Kornhuber J; Junemann AGMJournal of Neural Transmission 2007; 114: 445-450
We determined homocysteine (Hcy) levels in aqueous humor (AH) and plasma and their association with B-vitamin levels in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and controls. Both AH Hcy and plasma Hcy levels were significantly increased in POAG, and elevation of AH Hcy and plasma Hcy was a significant risk factor for POAG. In contrast to controls, neither plasma nor AH Hcy of POAG patients demonstrated a significant association with important non-genetic determinants of elevated Hcy such as low B-vitamin levels, increasing age and caffeine consumption. Considering that Hcy is a neurotoxin that induces apoptotic retinal ganglion cell death via stimulation of the N-methyl-D-asparate (NMDA) receptor, increased Hcy concentrations in AH and plasma might contribute to the optic nerve damage in POAG.
Dr. J.B. Roedl, Department of Ophthalmology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. Johannes.Roedl@augen.imed.uni-erlangen.de
Classification:
2.6.3 Compostion (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma > 2.6 Aqueous humor dynamics)