Hepcidin Prohormone Levels in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma ()
Affiliation(s)
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
Mansoura Ophthalmic Center, Faculty of Medicine, Man-soura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Banha University, Banha, Egypt.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To assess the levels of hepcidin prohormone (Hep)
in aqueous humor and plasma of human eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma
(POAG) and to correlate their concentrations with the severity of glaucoma. Methods: Sixty patients with POAG and
forty five patients with senile cataract (control group) were enrolled in the
study prospectively. Aqueous humor samples were obtained by paracentesis from
glaucoma and cataract patients who were undergoing elective surgery. Aqueous
humor and corresponding plasma samples were analyzed for Hep concentrations
by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:
Hep levels were significantly lower in aqueous humor of POAG patients with
respect to the comparative group of cataract patients (P < 0.001). No
significant difference in the levels of Hep in plasma of POAG and cataract patients.
A positive correlation was found between plasma/aqueous humor Hep concentration
in POAG versus the control group (P < 0.001). No significant correlation was
found between Hep levels and the severity of visual field loss. Conclusion: Lower levels of aqueous
humor Hep may be associated with POAG. In addition, Hep may be useful protein
derivatives levels in aqueous humor of POAG patients as a consequence of
glaucomatous damage.
Share and Cite:
Ghanem, A. , Mady, S. , Attia, T. and Arafa, L. (2014) Hepcidin Prohormone Levels in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.
Open Journal of Ophthalmology,
4, 18-23. doi:
10.4236/ojoph.2014.41004.