Nitric oxide proxies and ocular perfusion pressure in primary open angle glaucoma. Issue 6 (17th May 2004)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Galassi, F; Renieri, G; Sodi, A; Ucci, F; Vannozzi, L; Masini, E
• Is Part Of: British journal of ophthalmology. Volume 88:Issue 6(2004)
• Page Start: 757
• Page End: 760
• Publication Date: 2004-05-17
• Subjects: primary open angle glaucoma -- nitric oxide -- ocular perfusion pressure; cGMP, cyclic guanosine monophosphate -- NO, nitric oxide -- NOS, nitric oxide synthase -- POAG, primary open angle glaucoma -- PP, perfusion pressure; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2003.028357
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1161

Abstract

Abstract : Background: To investigate the levels of nitric oxide (NO) markers in plasma and aqueous humour of patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and their relation to ocular perfusion pressure. Methods: Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and nitrite (NO2 − ) were determined in plasma and aqueous humour of 38 patients with POAG and 46 controls. Blood pressure and IOP were measured to calculate ocular perfusion pressure (PP). Results: cGMP and NO2 − plasma levels were significantly decreased in glaucoma patients compared with controls (p = 0.001 v p = 0.004). In the aqueous humour of subjects with POAG, cGMP and NO2 − concentrations were also lower than in normal eyes (p = 0.0001 v p = 0.001). There was a linear association between cGMP in plasma and aqueous humour in glaucomas and controls ( r = 0.514, p = 0.029 and r = 0.558, p = 0.004) and this relation differed in the two groups (p = 0.003). Considering glaucoma patients with controls, a positive correlation was found between cGMP and PP ( r = 0.379, p = 0.01) and between NO2 − and PP ( r = 0.339, p = 0.040). The cGMP/PP correlation was of borderline statistical significance in controls (p = 0.050), whereas it did not attain statistical significance in POAG, as well as the association between NO2 − and PP when glaucomas and controls were considered separately. Conclusions: The authors found alterations of NO markers in the plasma and aqueous humour of glaucoma patients. Primary or secondary impaired NO balance could alter ocular perfusion pressure.