title: Concentration of hyaluronic acid in primary open-angle glaucoma aqueous humor.
abstract: We compared the concentration of hyaluronic acid in the aqueous humor of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and non-glaucomatous patients. Aqueous humor samples were obtained from 22 patients just before trabeculectomy for clinically uncontrolled POAG (POAG group). Aqueous humor (0.1 mL) was aspirated by inserting a 26-gauge needle into the anterior chamber. The same procedure was performed for 22 non-glaucomatous patients just before cataract surgery (control group). Immediately after collection, the aqueous humor was stored at -20 degrees C. The concentration of hyaluronic acid was determined by a sensitive, noncompetitive and nonisotopic fluoroassay. The median (range) concentrations of hyaluronic acid of the POAG and control groups were 298.4 microg L(-1) (99.0-743.7 microg L(-1)) and 545.1 microg L(-1) (145.0-2366.0 microg L(-1)), respectively. The difference in concentrations of hyaluronic acid between the groups was statistically significant (P<0.001). In conclusion, the concentration of hyaluronic acid in the aqueous humor in POAG patients is lower than in non-glaucomatous patients. Further studies are necessary to determine the role of hyaluronic acid in the pathophysiology of POAG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 820, São Paulo, SP 04023-062, Brazil. edunavajas@oftalmo.epm.br
authors.forename: Eduardo Vitor
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Navajas
authors.forename: João Roberto Maciel
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Luiz Alberto S
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Vinícius Silveira
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Saraiva
authors.forename: Carl Peter
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Dietrich
authors.forename: Helena Bonciani
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Nader
authors.forename: Rubens
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Belfort
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000737:chemistry*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid