Oxidative DNA damage in the human trabecular meshwork: clinical correlation in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the intensity of oxidative molecular damage and its clinical correlations: visual field damage, intraocular pressure, age, and disease duration.


METHODS
DNA was extracted from human trabecular meshwork specimens collected from 17 glaucoma-affected patients using standard filtration surgery. Twenty-one specimens from healthy eyes collected for cornea transplants serve as controls. Oxidative DNA damage was evaluated by determining 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels. All patients underwent a Humphrey 30-2 visual field examination and diurnal tonometry before surgery.


RESULTS
The mean +/- SD DNA oxidative damage was 8.51 +/- 5.44 and 1.75 +/- 1.80 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine molecules/10(5) normal nucleotides in patients with glaucoma and controls, respectively. A statistically significant correlation was found among human trabecular meshwork DNA oxidative damage, visual field damage, and intraocular pressure. No other statistically significant correlations were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Oxidative stress may represent an important pathogenetic step in primary open-angle glaucoma because it could induce human trabecular meshwork degeneration, favoring an intraocular pressure increase, thus priming the glaucoma pathogenetic cascade.
Saccà
Sergio Claudio
SC
Department of Neurosciences, Clinica Oculistica, University of Genoa, I-16132 Genoa, Italy. sergio.sacca@hsanmartino.liguria.it
Pascotto
Antonio
A
Camicione
Paola
P
Capris
Paolo
P
Izzotti
Alberto
A
D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000378:metabolism*; D014794:Visual Fields
D015415:Biomarkers; D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D003849:Deoxyguanosine