Abstract
Purpose: :
To compare the total protein concentration in the aqueous humor of primary open–angle glaucoma (POAG) and non–glaucomatous patients.
Methods: :
Aqueous humor samples were obtained from 22 patients just before trabeculectomy for clinically uncontrolled POAG (POAG group). Aqueous humor (0.1 mL) was aspirated by inserting a 26–gauge needle into the anterior chamber. The same procedure was performed for 22 non–glaucomatous patients just before cataract surgery (control group). Immediately after collection, the aqueous humor was stored at –20 °C. Aqueous humor total protein concentration was determined using a colorimetric assay according to manufacter’s instructions (Protein Assay Kit from Bio–Rad Laboratories, CA, USA).
Results: :
The mean total protein concentration of the aqueous humor samples was 0.40 g/L (SD, 0.28 g/L; range, 0.08–1.37 g/L) in the POAG group and 0.21 g/L (SD, 0.19 g/L; range, 0.02–0.85 g/L) in the control group. The difference in aqueous humor protein concentration between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.004).
Conclusions: :
Total protein concentration in primary open–angle glaucoma patients aqueous humor is twice higher than in non–glaucomatous subjects.
Keywords: aqueous • cataract • protein modifications-post translational