We compared the metabolomic profile of aqueous humor from patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG; n = 26) with that of a group of age-and sex-matched non-POAG controls (n = 26), all participants undergoing cataract surgery. Supervised paired partial leastsquares discriminant analysis showed good predictive performance for test sets with a median area under the receiver operating characteristic of 0.89 and a p-value of 0.0087. Twenty-three metabolites allowed discrimination between the two groups. Univariate analysis after the Benjamini−Hochberg correction showed significant differences for 13 of these metabolites. The POAG metabolomic signature indicated reduced concentrations of taurine and spermine and increased concentrations of creatinine, carnitine, three short-chain acylcarnitines, 7 amino acids (glutamine, glycine, alanine, leucine, isoleucine, hydroxyl-proline, and acetyl-ornithine), 7 phosphatidylcholines, one lysophosphatidylcholine, and one sphingomyelin. This suggests an alteration of metabolites involved in osmoprotection (taurine and creatinine), neuroprotection (spermine, taurine, and carnitine), amino acid metabolism (7 amino acids and three acylcarnitines), and the remodeling of cell membranes drained by the aqueous humor (hydroxyproline and phospholipids). Five of these metabolic alterations, already reported in POAG plasma, concern spermine, C3 and C4 acylcarnitines, PC aa 34:2, and PC aa 36:4, thus highlighting their importance in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.

Our results highlight a systemic and age-related mitochondrial defect in the pathogenesis of POAG.

To determine the plasma metabolomic profile of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), we performed a targeted metabolomics study on the plasma from patients (n = 40, mean age = 81.1) compared to an age- and sex-matched control group (n = 40, mean age = 81.8). All included patients had documented exudative AMD, causing significant visual loss (mean logMAR visual acuity = 0.63), compared to the control group. Patients and controls did not differ in terms of body mass index and co-morbidities. Among the 188 metabolites analyzed, 150 (79.8%) were accurately measured. The concentrations of 18 metabolites were significantly modified in the AMD group, but only six of them remained significantly different after Benjamini–Hochberg correction. Valine, lysine, carnitine, valerylcarnitine and proline were increased, while carnosine, a dipeptide disclosing anti-oxidant and anti-glycating properties, was, on average, reduced by 50% in AMD compared to controls. Moreover, carnosine was undetectable for 49% of AMD patients compared to 18% in the control group (p-value = 0.0035). Carnitine is involved in the transfer of fatty acids within the mitochondria; proline, lysine and valerylcarnitine are substrates for mitochondrial electrons transferring flavoproteins, and proline is one of the main metabolites supplying energy to the retina. Overall, our results reveal six new metabolites involved in the plasma metabolomic profile of exudative AMD, suggesting mitochondrial energetic impairments and carnosine deficiency.

We identified a significant metabolomic signature in the plasma of individuals with XFS. Paradoxically, this signature, characterized by lower concentrations of the neuroprotective spermine and spermidine polyamines than in controls, partially overlaps the plasma metabolomic profile associated with insulin resistance, despite the absence of evidence of insulin resistance in XFS.

Purpose. Knowing the use categories of the products involved and on the circumstances of exposure, the aim was to identify severity factors useful in the initial management of patients in case of acute ocular exposure. Methods.A retrospective study over a one-year period, on patients having used a poison center for eye exposure to a chemical substance. Results.In one year, patients were concerned. The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.8. The mean age was 28.5 ± 20.3 years. Among children, those under 4 years represented the most significant age category (n= 277; 50.1%). Exposure to chemicals were mild (n= 1342, 84.8%). Adults over 65 years appeared to be more likely to have more severe ocular damage (OR: 4.75; [2.26; 9.98]). Unintentional exposures were the most frequent (n= 1548; 97.8%). Ocular exposure primarily occurred at home (n= 937; 59.2%) then at work (n= 396; 25%), but with a higher risk of severe injury (OR: 2.93 [2.16; 3.97]). Cleaning products accounted for 31.2% of exposure cases (n= 457).Exposure to disinfectants appears to be a risk factor in more severe injuries (OR: 1.48 [1.002; 2.19] p = 0.0472). PH and severity of injuries were not statistically associated. Conclusions.Our study showed the very wide variety in products involved in ocular exposures. Taking into account severity found, specific attention should be made by clinician on some of them like extreme ages, working exposure, and products like disinfectant and not only acid vs. base.

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