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Abstract #49182 Published in IGR 14-1
Endothelin-1 plasma levels and vascular endothelial dysfunction in primary open angle glaucoma
Cellini M; Strobbe E; Gizzi C; Balducci N; Toschi PG; Campos ECLife Sciences 2012; 91: 699-702
AIMS: To assess the relationship between endothelial dysfunction, endothelin 1 (ET-1) plasma levels and subclinical inflammation in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. MAIN METHODS: We enrolled 40 POAG patients with progressive visual field damage, although well controlled intraocular pressure (IOP) and compared to age and sex matched healthy subjects. Each patient underwent an ophthalmological examination, a standard achromatic perimetry (SAP), blood sampling to assess ET-1 plasma levels, an objective assessment of cellularity within the anterior chamber (FLARE) and measurement of flow mediated dilation (FMD) with high resolution 2-dimensional ultrasonographic imaging of the brachial artery. KEY FINDINGS: At baseline, POAG patients, compared to healthy controls, showed an increase of ET-1 plasma levels: 2.83±0.28pg/ml vs. 1.75±0.25pg/ml (p<0.001), lower FMD values 4.46±1.28% vs. 13.18±2.80% (p<0.001) and increased FLARE values 9.98±0.97 photons/ms vs. 5.87±0.64 photons/ms (p<0.001). A follow up after 1year revealed a further increase of ET-1 plasma levels (to 3.68±0.60; p<0.001) and decrease of FMD (3.52±1.28; p>0.001). SIGNIFICANCE: The increase of ET-1 in POAG patients is related to vascular dysfunction (r=0.942; p=0.001) and vascular dysfunction is related to sub-clinical intraocular inflammation (r=0.968; p=0.001). Thus ET-1 and vascular dysfunction related to sub-clinical inflammation may play a key role in determining a progressive visual field damage in POAG patients who present a well-controlled IOP.
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Classification:
3.6 Cellular biology (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
6.11 Bloodflow measurements (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods)
3.7 Biochemistry (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
3.9 Pathophysiology (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)