Nitric oxide and tumour necrosis factor alpha in the process of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma

Abstract

© 2016 International Journal of Ophthalmology (c/o Editorial Office). All rights reserved. AIM: To establish the role of nitric oxide (NO), ascorbic acid and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the pathogenesis of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (XFG). • METHODS: Our study included 120 patients who were referred for cataract surgery. All patients were divided into four groups according to clinical findings: XFG, early and late pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS), and cataract (without pseudoexfoliation). Serum and aqueous humour levels of the ascorbic acid, NO and TNF-α were measured. The concentrations of the ascorbic acid and NO were measured by an appropriate spectrophotometric method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine TNF-α level. • RESULTS: Aqueous humour concentration of ascorbic acid was significantly lower in patients with late XFS (0.61 ±0.11 mmol/L) and XFG (0.48 ±0.15 mmol/L) compared to patients with early XFS (0.9 ±0.15 mmol/L) and cataract (1.16 ±0.22 mmol/L), while there was no difference in serum concentration in all examined groups. Aqueous humour concentration of NO was significantly higher in patients with XFG (77.7±11.4 μmol/L) compared to patients with early XFS (50.27 ±9.34 μmol/L) and cataract (49.77 ±7.1 μmol/L), while serum concentration was increased in the early stage of XFS (73.26±8.29 μmol/L). Aqueous humour level of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α was increased in patientswith XFS (early460.04±18.32 pg/mL; late 502.42±53.23 pg/mL) and XFG (510.34±43.07 pg/mL), 1138 while there was no difference in serum level in all examined groups of patients. • CONCLUSION: Reduced ascorbic acid and elevated NO and inflammation related cytokine TNF-α level in aqueous humour of the patients with developed XFG suggest that oxidative stress induces local inflammation.