title: [The expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, Bak and Bax proteins in axons of the optic nerve in closed-angle glaucoma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was the evaluation of Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, Bak and Bax immunoexpression in axons of the optic nerve with absolute glaucoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted on 19 patients with absolute glaucoma, suffered from severe ophthalmalgia, treated of necessity by enucleation in 1991-2003 in our Department of Ophthalmology. The samples were immuno-stained with antibodies for Bcl-2, Bak, Bax and Bcl-xl protein. The reactions were performed in Labelled Streptavidin Avidin Biotin (LSAB) technique. The evaluation of immuno-staining was calculated as the percentage of cells with positive reaction to the total number of cells encountered in 10 representative fields, by light microscopy using a x 20 objective lens. Scores were based on the following scale: (++), over 50% of the field showing positive immuno-staining, (+) 10-50% with positive immunostaining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our study proapoptotic Bak and Bax protein expression was stronger than antiapoptotic Bcl-2, Bcl-xl protein expression; Bak/Bcl-2 (p = 0.008), Bax/Bcl-2 (p = 0.0007), Bak/Bcl-xl (p = 0.0356), Bax/Bcl-xl (p = 0.0077).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our study demonstrate high proapoptotic trends in axons of the optic nerve in the stage of absolute glaucoma.
authors.affiliation: Kliniki Okulistyki Akademii Medycznej w Białymstoku.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zalewska
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reszeć
authors.forename: Zofia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mariak
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sulkowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D001369:Axons / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015812:Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000737:chemistry*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D050998:bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D051020:bcl-X Protein
chemical_list: C494772:BAK1 protein, human; C494826:BAX protein, human; C494811:BCL2L1 protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D050998:bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D051020:bcl-X Protein