Biochemical studies of glycosaminoglycans in nanophthalmic sclera.
BACKGROUND
Since Brockhurst reported the connection between uveal effusion in nanophthalmic eyes and their scleral alterations and treated them with vortex vein decompression or sclerectomy, many observers have found abnormal accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in nanophthalmic sclera. These GAG abnormalities were thought to effect the collagen changes, though it was not clear which GAGs were changed.


METHODS
GAGs were isolated and their contents were determined in scleral specimens from three nanophthalmic patients and five age-matched controls, using electrophoresis and the cetylpyridinium method.


RESULTS
Hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate were the major GAGs in both nanophthalmic and control samples. Nanophthalmic sclera showed 2.4-fold, 10-fold and 5.5-fold increases in hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate, respectively, compared with the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that increased levels of GAGs, particularly of dermatan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate may contribute to the abnormalities of collagen fibrillogenesis and be closely involved with the pathogenesis of nanophthalmos.
Kawamura
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Keiyu General Hospital, Kangawa, Japan.
Tajima
S
S
Azuma
N
N
Katsura
H
H
Akiyama
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001669:Biochemical Phenomena; D001671:Biochemistry; D004588:Electrophoresis, Cellulose Acetate; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008850:Microphthalmos / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012590:Sclera / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans