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Homocysteine levels in aqueous humor and plasma of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma
ISSN
0300-9564
Date Issued
2007
Author(s)
Roedl, J. B.
Reulbach, Udo
Schloetzer-Schrehardt, Ursula
Rejdak, R.
Naumann, G. O. H.
Kruse, F. E.
Juenemann, A. G. M.
DOI
10.1007/s00702-006-0556-9
Abstract
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.