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Abstract #47639 Published in IGR 13-4
Glaucoma is associated with arterial dysfunction and increased inflammatory process
Siasou G; Siasos G; Tousoulis D; Moschos MM; Oikonomou E; Zaromitidou M; Paraskevopoulos T; Marinos G; Papavassiliou AG; Stefanadis CEuropean Heart Journal 2011; 32: 201
Purpose: Reduced ocular blood flow, mostly caused by vascular dysregulation, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The study was designed to evaluate vascular function and inflammatory process in patients with POAG. Methods: Forty seven POAG patients and thirty eight matched healthy subjects (Cl) were included in this case-control study. Endothelial function was evaluated by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured as an index of aortic stiffness and augmentation index (AIx) as a measure of arterial wave reflections. Circulating levels of soluble interleukin-6 (IL- 6) and soluble intercellular cells adhesion molecule (s-ICAM-1) were measured by ELISA. Results: The POAG patients had significantly lower FMD compared to Cl (4.69(plus or minus)0.42% vs 6.53(plus or minus)0.59%, p<0.05) and significantly higher PWV (8.94(plus or minus)0.34m/s vs 7.64(plus or minus)0.30m/s, p<0.05) and AIx (27.28(plus or minus)1.03% vs 23.13(plus or minus)1.92%, p<0.05). Moreover, in POAG patients compared to Cl, we found a significant increase in the release of IL-6 (2.57(plus or minus)0.34 pgr/ml vs 1.70(plus or minus)0.17 pgr/ml, p<0.05) and s-ICAM-1 (684.20(plus or minus)53.60 ngr/ml vs 478.23(plus or minus)57.93 ngr/ml, p<0.01) indicating an elevated inflammatory status in POAG patients. Conclusion: Glaucoma is associated with endothelial dysfunction, increased arterial stiffness and elevated inflammatory process, which are indicators of increased risk of cardiovascular events. These results strengthens the vascular theory considers glaucomatous optic neuropathy a consequence of insufficient ocular blood supply caused by vascular dysfunction.
G. Siasou. University of Athens Medical School, Hippokration General Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Athens, Greece.
Classification:
6.11 Bloodflow measurements (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods)
3.6 Cellular biology (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
9.4.6 Glaucomas associated with inflammation, uveitis (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.4 Glaucomas associated with other ocular and systemic disorders)
3.9 Pathophysiology (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)