Abstract
Purpose :
To compare the aqueous humor level of silent information regulator T1 (SIRT1) between patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract patients.
Methods :
Thirteen patients (13 eyes) with wet-type AMD (AMD group) and 13 patients (13 eyes) with cataract (cataract group) were enrolled in this study. Aqueous humor samples were obtained during treatment with intravitreal aflibercept in the AMD group and during cataract surgery in the cataract group (controls), and the SIRT1 level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, the thickness of each retinal layer was determined by optical coherence tomography.
Results :
There was a trend for the SIRT1 level to increase with age in the cataract group (r=0.70), as well as in the AMD group (r=0.40) and all subjects (r=0.37). The aqueous humor level of SIRT1 was significantly lower in the AMD group than in the cataract group (p=0.0071). In the AMD group, the SIRT1 level was positively correlated with the thickness of the retinal ganglion cell layer (r=0.31) and the inner nuclear layer (r=0.76), while it was negatively correlated with the thickness of the outer nuclear layer (r=-0.36).
Conclusions :
The aqueous level of SIRT1 decreased as the ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer became thinner with progression of AMD, suggesting that reduction of SIRT1 activity might be involved in the pathogenesis of this disease.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.