Plasma thymulin and nerve growth factor levels in patients with primary open angle glaucoma and elevated intraocular pressure.
BACKGROUND
The objective was to measure the plasma concentrations of thymulin and nerve growth factor (NGF) in a group of patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and compare them with age- and sex-matched normal controls.


METHODS
Twenty-eight patients newly diagnosed with POAG who were not undergoing treatment were compared with the same number of age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Blood samples were drawn into heparinized tubes and plasma samples were collected for the determination of the concentrations of thymulin and NGF, using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The Student's t test was used to perform the necessary statistical analysis of the results.


RESULTS
Seventeen women and 11 men were enrolled in each of the two groups (study and control), with a mean age of 63.7 (SD 10.3) years in the former and 63.3 (SD 9.6) years in the latter. There was a highly significant (p<0.001) elevation in the thymulin levels in POAG patients compared with the control group. However, no significant difference was observed when comparing the plasma NGF levels.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report to measure plasma thymulin levels in glaucoma patients. The significant results point the possible role of this immunomodulator in the pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma. The potential role of NGF seems to be less likely. These findings warrant further investigation.
Noureddin
Baha' N
BN
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. bndean@aub.edu.lb
Al-Haddad
Christiane E
CE
Bashshur
Ziad
Z
Safieh-Garabedian
Bared
B
D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000097:blood*; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000097:blood; D013935:Thymic Factor, Circulating / Q000378:metabolism*
D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D013935:Thymic Factor, Circulating