Endothelin-like immunoreactivity in aqueous humor of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and cataract.
BACKGROUND
Experimental evidence suggests a role of endothelin-1 (ET) in the regulation of intraocular pressure (IOP).


METHODS
Therefore, in patients undergoing cataract surgery, ET-like immunoreactivity (ETIR) was measured by radioimmunoassay in pooled samples of aqueous humor of eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and normotensive eyes with cataract only.


RESULTS
ETIR was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in patients with cataract and POAG (20.5 +/- 1.8 pg/ml, n = 12; preoperative IOP 21.4 +/- 1.1 mmHg, n = 33) than in patients with cataract only (15.8 +/- 1.6 pg/ml, n = 15; preoperative IOP 16.0 +/- 0.6 mmHg, n = 77).


CONCLUSIONS
This finding may indicate a role of ET in POAG or ocular antihypertensive treatment, and its relevance should be further investigated.
Noske
W
W
Department of Ophthalmology, Benjamin Franklin University Hospital, Free University of Berlin, Germany.
Hensen
J
J
Wiederholt
M
M
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002386:Cataract / Q000378:metabolism*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D019332:Endothelin-1; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions