Endothelin-1 plasma levels and vascular endothelial dysfunction in primary open angle glaucoma

[摘要] 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 healthxy 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 +/- 028 pg/ml vs. 1.75 +/- 0.25 pg/ml (p<0.001), lower FMD values 4.46 +/- 128% 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 1 year 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. (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[发布日期] 2012-10-15

[效力级别]  Proceedings Paper

[关键词] Flow mediated dilation;Flare;Endothelial mediators;Endothelin;Glaucoma