title: Decreased 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with primary open angle glaucoma.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to determine whether peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients have reduced 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 alpha-HSD) activity as was previously found in POAG-derived cultured trabecular meshwork cells. The availability of PBL from both POAG and control patients makes this a useful system for studying the association of decreased 3 alpha-HSD activity with POAG. PBL were isolated from the venous blood of 17 POAG patients and 22 non-glaucoma controls and assayed for 3 alpha-HSD activity with tritiated 5 beta-dihydrocortisol as a substrate. The mean 3 alpha-HSD activity +/- S.E.M., expressed in comparable units of specific activity, of the POAG derived PBL was 13.8 +/- 1.3 U as compared to 32.8 +/- 2.0 U for control cells. This reduction (> 50%) was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Quantitative immunoblot analysis of PBL indicated that the POAG and control cells, despite their difference in 3 alpha-HSD activity, had nearly identical amounts of 3 alpha-HSD protein. The molecular weight of PBL 3 alpha-HSD from both groups of patients was 38,000, the same as previously reported for human liver. The results of this study show an association of decreased PBL 3 alpha-HSD activity and POAG which was not related to antiglaucoma therapy. The reduced levels of 3 alpha-HSD activity in the readily obtainable PBL may serve as a marker for POAG or those at risk for developing the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Health Sciences, New York Medical College, Valhalla 10595, USA.
authors.forename: B I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Weinstein
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Iyer
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Binstock
authors.forename: C V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Hamby
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Moy
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wandel
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Southren
mesh_terms: D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D045002:3-alpha-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (B-Specific); D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D015415:Biomarkers; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D045002:3-alpha-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (B-Specific)