Abstract
Purpose: :
To compare the mean homocysteine concentration in aqueous humor and plasma in patients with exfoliation syndrome (XFS), exfoliative glaucoma (XFG), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), ocular hypertension (OHT) and normal controls and to evaluate the role of this biochemical index in the management of glaucoma.
Methods: :
Aqueous and blood samples were collected from 30 subjects with XFS, 30 subjects with XFG 30 subjects with POAG and 48 individuals with senile cataract who underwent routine phacoemulsification surgery. The mean homocysteine concentration was determined with the enzyme immunoassay method Axis® FHCY 100.
Results: :
The mean concentration of homocysteine was significantly higher in XFG patients in both aqueous (2,89±0,82 µmol/l) and plasma samples (17,51±6,08 µmol/l) compared with normal controls (1,87±0,47 µmol/l in the aqueous and 13,04±3,37 µmol/l in the plasma respectively). Patients with POAG exhibited higher mean homocysteine concentration both in aqueous (2,29±0,43µmol/l) and plasma samples (19,17±2,80 µmol/l) compared with normal controls. No significant differences were detected in homocysteine levels between XFS subjects and normal controls in the aqueous (1,98±0,48 µmol/l), or plasma (14,52±5,47 µmol/l). However, a significantly higher level of homocysteine was detected in the aqueous and plasma of those with XFG compared with the XFS group (<0.05). Hypehomocystenemia was present in 93,3% (28/30) of POAG samples, in 70% (21/30) of XFG samples, in 40% (12/30) of XFS samples, and in 27,1% (13/48) of normal control samples.
Conclusions: :
The study confirms a significantly higher homocysteine level in XFG and POAG, which may represent a modifiable risk factor in the future.
Keywords: apoptosis/cell death • aqueous • ganglion cells