endothelin-1 and Cataract

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor which seems to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, studies on intraocular ET-1 in DR have been limited. Thus, we investigated aqueous ET-1 levels in patients with DR.. A total 85 subjects were included in this prospective study. Those were classified into three groups: advanced DR group included those with severe nonproliferative DR or proliferative DR, whereas early DR group included those with mild nonproliferative DR or moderative nonproliferative DR. Those who underwent cataract surgery and had no concomitant ocular disease were included in the control group. Aqueous humor levels of ET-1 were obtained before intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) and after 1 month for the DR patients, and at the time of cataract surgery for the control group.. Advanced DR group included 40 eyes (47.1%), whereas early DR group did 19 eyes (22.4%), and control group (26 eyes, 30.5%). Mean aqueous ET-1 level was 10.1±4.1 pg/mL (6.0-21.0 pg/mL) in advanced DR group, 1.9±0.7 pg/mL (0.6-2.8 pg/mL) in early DR group, and 2.1±1.0 pg/mL (0.7-3.9 pg/mL) in control group (P < 0.001). Advanced DR group was further subdivided into severe nonproliferative DR (15 eyes, 12.8%) and proliferative DR (25 eyes, 34.3%). Mean aqueous ET-1 level was 10.1±4.3 pg/mL (6.0-20.1 pg/mL) in patients with severe nonproliferative DR, and 10.0±4.0 pg/mL (6.0-21.0 pg/mL) in those with proliferative DR (P = 0.928) at baseline. Mean ET-1 level at 1 month after intravitreal injection was 2.5±1.0 pg/mL (0.3-4.8 pg/mL) in patients with severe proliferative DR and 2.9±1.7 pg/mL (1.0-7.0 pg/mL) in those with proliferative DR (P = 0.443). Mean aqueous ET-1 level was significantly reduced in both groups (P < 0.001, respectively).. The mean aqueous ET-1 level was significantly higher in the eyes with advanced DR than those with early DR and the control group. The mean aqueous ET-1 level was significantly reduced after intravitreal injections in the advanced DR group. Based on our results, future studies on the exact role of ET-1 in the pathogenesis of DR and future implication for intervention would be helpful for managing DR.

Topics: Aqueous Humor; Bevacizumab; Cataract; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Retinopathy; Endothelin-1; Humans; Prospective Studies

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether a correlation exists between glaucoma-associated alteration of ocular vascular haemodynamics and endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels exist. Eyes of patients with cataract (n = 30) or glaucoma (n = 68) were examined with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-angiography (OCT-A; AngioVue™-RTVue-XR; Optovue, Fremont, California, USA). The peripapillary and the macular vessel density (VD) values were measured. Inferior and superior retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness loss was used for further OCT staging. Aqueous humour of the examined eye and plasma were sampled during cataract or glaucoma surgery and analysed by means of ELISA to determine their ET-1 level. Glaucoma eyes are characterised by reductions in RNFL thickness and VD that correlate significantly with the OCT GSS score. Peripheral and ocular ET-1 level were significantly elevated in patients with glaucoma and correlate positively with the OCT-GSS score of the entire study population. Peripapillary and macula VD of glaucoma patients correlates negatively with plasma ET-1 levels. Multivariable analysis showed a subordinate role of intraocular pressure predictive factor for impaired retinal blood flow compared with plasma ET-1 level in glaucoma. Peripheral ET-1 level serves as risk factor for detection of ocular blood flow changes in the optic nerve head region of glaucomatous eyes.

Topics: Cataract; Endothelin-1; Eye; Glaucoma; Hemodynamics; Humans; Nerve Fibers; Regional Blood Flow; Retinal Vessels; Risk Factors; Tomography, Optical Coherence

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been found in elevated concentrations in the aqueous humor of glaucoma patients. Indirect evidence from animal studies suggests that ET-1 might directly influence intraocular pressure (IOP). The aim of this study was to determine whether ET-1 concentrations in aqueous humor of cataract and glaucoma patients correlate with IOP.. Aqueous humor and blood samples from patients with either cataract (control, n = 38), primary open angle glaucoma (POAG, n = 35), or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG, n = 21), without other ocular or systemic disease, were collected during routine cataract surgery or trabeculectomy. ET-1 concentration was determined by an ET-1 ELISA kit. IOP was measured preoperatively by standard Goldmann applanation tonometry. All statistical analysis was performed using commercial predictive analytics software.. Both IOP and ET-1 concentration in aqueous humor were significantly increased in POAG (23.4 ± 6.8 mm Hg, 5.9 ± 2.9 pg/mL) and PEXG (24.3 ± 8.8 mm Hg, 7.7 ± 2.1 pg/mL) compared with control (15.0 ± 2.9 mm Hg, 4.3 ± 2.4 pg/mL). No difference was detected for plasma ET-1 concentrations. IOP and ET-1 in the aqueous humor were significantly correlated (R = 0.394, R² = 0.155, P < 0.001), although no correlation was found between IOP and ET-1 in blood plasma or between ET-1 in aqueous humor and ET-1 in plasma.. In this study, a small but highly significant correlation between IOP and the ET-1 concentration in the aqueous humor was found. Although no causative relationship can be deduced from this, ocular ET-1 effects on IOP control may merit further investigation.

Topics: Aged; Aqueous Humor; Cataract; Cataract Extraction; Endothelin-1; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Exfoliation Syndrome; Female; Glaucoma, Open-Angle; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Male; Predictive Value of Tests; Trabeculectomy

To evaluate the concentration of endothelin-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and cyclooxygenase-2 in aqueous humor from normal and glaucomatous human patients.. Concentrations of these proteins were measured using ELISA kits in 83 patients (30 presenting for cataract surgery and 53 with glaucoma).. Endothelin-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and cyclooxygenase-2 were detected in all samples. The ages of the patients with glaucoma (64.51 +/- 17.51 years) and cataracts subjects (59.30 +/- 19.15 years) were similar. The endothelin-1 concentration in cataracts patients (48.55 +/- 9.50 pg/ml) was statistically different when compared to endothelin-1 concentration in aqueous humor from primary open-angle glaucoma (107.94 +/- 12.20 pg/ml) and neovascular glaucoma (114.68 +/- 25.50 pg/ml) (p < 0.05). No statistical difference was observed in normal tension glaucoma group (69.14 +/- 52.80 pg/ml) (p > 0.05). Vascular endothelial growth factor concentration was higher in neovascular glaucoma (81.84 +/- 6.40 pg/ml), being the difference statistically significant when compared with the other groups (p < 0.0001). Cyclooxygenase-2 levels showed no statistical difference between cataract groups and any other glaucoma group (p > 0.05). No effect of age, gender, or previously medication of aqueous humor concentration of these proteins could be detected (p > 0.05).. In this study we observed increased levels of endothelin-1 in aqueous humor from patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and neovascular glaucoma, and increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor only in neovascular glaucoma patients, raising a possible connection between endothelin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in the role of some types of glaucoma. Regarding cyclooxygenase-2 levels detected, perhaps indicate that low values of cyclooxygenase-2 are necessary for normal functions of the eye.

Topics: Aged; Aqueous Humor; Cataract; Cyclooxygenase 2; Endothelin-1; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Glaucoma; Humans; Male; Mexico; Middle Aged; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Experimental evidence suggests a role of endothelin-1 (ET) in the regulation of intraocular pressure (IOP).. Therefore, in patients undergoing cataract surgery, ET-like immunoreactivity (ETIR) was measured by radioimmunoassay in pooled samples of aqueous humor of eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and normotensive eyes with cataract only.. ETIR was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in patients with cataract and POAG (20.5 +/- 1.8 pg/ml, n = 12; preoperative IOP 21.4 +/- 1.1 mmHg, n = 33) than in patients with cataract only (15.8 +/- 1.6 pg/ml, n = 15; preoperative IOP 16.0 +/- 0.6 mmHg, n = 77).. This finding may indicate a role of ET in POAG or ocular antihypertensive treatment, and its relevance should be further investigated.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Aqueous Humor; Cataract; Cataract Extraction; Endothelin-1; Glaucoma, Open-Angle; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Ophthalmic Solutions; Radioimmunoassay