Increased plasma endothelin-1 levels in patients with progressive open angle glaucoma

Br J Ophthalmol. 2005 Jan;89(1):60-3. doi: 10.1136/bjo.2004.046755.

Abstract

Aim: To compare the plasma levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) between patients with primary open angle glaucoma with visual field progression despite normal or normalised intraocular pressure and patients with stabile visual fields in a retrospective study.

Methods: The progressive group consisted of 16 primary open angle glaucoma patients and the group with stable visual field consisted of 15 patients. After a 30 minute rest in a supine position, venous blood was obtained for ET-1 dosing. Difference in the plasma level of ET-1 between two groups was compared by means of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), including age, sex, and mean arterial blood pressure as covariates.

Results: ET-1 plasma levels were found to be significantly increased in patients with deteriorating (3.47 (SD 0.75) pg/ml) glaucoma when compared to those with stable (2.59 (SD 0.54) pg/ml) visual fields (p = 0.0007).

Conclusions: Glaucoma patients with visual field progression in spite of normal or normalised intraocular pressure have been found to have increased plasma endothelin-1 levels. It remains to be determined if this is a secondary phenomenon or whether it may have a role in the progression of glaucomatous damage.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Endothelin-1 / blood*
  • Female
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / blood*
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / drug therapy
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure / physiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Visual Fields / physiology

Substances

  • Endothelin-1