Homocysteine levels in aqueous humor and plasma of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.
We determined homocysteine (Hcy) levels in aqueous humor (AH) and plasma and their association with B-vitamin levels in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and controls. Both AH Hcy and plasma Hcy levels were significantly increased in POAG, and elevation of AH Hcy and plasma Hcy was a significant risk factor for POAG. In contrast to controls, neither plasma nor AH Hcy of POAG patients demonstrated a significant association with important non-genetic determinants of elevated Hcy such as low B-vitamin levels, increasing age and caffeine consumption. Considering that Hcy is a neurotoxin that induces apoptotic retinal ganglion cell death via stimulation of the N-methyl-D-asparate (NMDA) receptor, increased Hcy concentrations in AH and plasma might contribute to the optic nerve damage in POAG.
Roedl
J B
JB
Department of Ophthalmology and University Eye Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
Bleich
S
S
Reulbach
U
U
von Ahsen
N
N
Schlötzer-Schrehardt
U
U
Rejdak
R
R
Naumann
G O H
GO
Kruse
F E
FE
Kornhuber
J
J
Jünemann
A G M
AG
D000368:Aged; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006867:Hydrolases / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000097:blood
D025101:Vitamin B 6; D005492:Folic Acid; D006867:Hydrolases; C463961:homocysteinase; D014805:Vitamin B 12