Glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori infection: correlations and controversies.
A possible association between Helicobacter pylori infection and eye diseases, including Sjögren syndrome, blepharitis, central serous chorioretinopathy and uveitis, has been proposed. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, after cataracts, and the leading cause of irreversible blindness, but many aspects of its pathogenesis remain unknown. H pylori infection may influence the pathophysiology of glaucoma by releasing various proinflammatory and vasoactive substances, as well as by influencing the apoptotic process, parameters that may also exert their own effects in the induction and/or progression of glaucomatous neuropathy. It is difficult to understand how H pylori infection can be linked to such varied pathologies. Systemic H pylori-induced oxidative damage may be the mechanism which links oxidative stress, H pylori infection and the damage to the trabecular meshwork and optical nerve head that results in glaucoma.
Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
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Izzotti
S C
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Saccà
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Bagnis
S M
SM
Recupero
D005901:Glaucoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000201:enzymology
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases