Transient raise of endothelin-1 plasma level and reduction of ocular blood flow in a patient with optic neuritis

Ophthalmologica. 2003 Nov-Dec;217(6):451-3. doi: 10.1159/000073079.

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze how far an ischemic component might have been involved in optic neuritis.

Case report: a 32-year-old man with symptoms characteristic for optic neuritis underwent extensive clinical, laboratory/serological and vascular examination for systemic associations and vascular involvement.

Results: The patient was found to have a temporary ocular blood flow dysregulation and increased plasma endothelin-1 levels which decreased after the acute phase of the optic nerve.

Conclusions: We conclude that there might be an ischemic component in this patient with optic neuritis and hypothesize that this ischemic component is at least in part due to a temporarily increased endothelin-1 level.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Endothelin-1 / blood*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Optic Neuritis / blood*
  • Optic Neuritis / physiopathology*
  • Regional Blood Flow / physiology
  • Retinal Artery / physiopathology*
  • Visual Acuity
  • Visual Fields

Substances

  • Endothelin-1