Association between Systemic Antioxidant Capacity and Retinal Vessel Diameters in Patients with Primary-Open Angle Glaucoma

Abstract

The retinal vessel narrowing may be implicated in the pathogenesis of glaucoma; however, the association between systemic oxidative stress and retinal vessel diameter remains largely unknown. We examined the relationship between serum oxidative stress markers and retinal vessel diameters in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and cataract, using central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE). We included 66 eyes of 66 patients with POAG (37 men, 29 women; 65.4 ± 11.7 years) and 20 eyes of 20 patients with cataract (7 men, 13 women; 69.4 ± 9.0 years) as the controls. The CRAE (p < 0.0001), CRVE (p < 0.0001), and serum biological antioxidant potential (BAP) (p = 0.0419) were significantly lower in the POAG group compared to the controls. The BAP showed significant correlation both with CRAE (ρ = 0.2148, p = 0.0471) and systolic blood pressure (ρ = −0.2431, p = 0.0241), while neither Diacron reactive oxygen metabolites nor sulfhydryl test correlated with them. The multivariate analyses indicated that age, best corrected visual acuity, and BAP were independent factors for CRAE or CRVE. The present study suggested that lower systemic antioxidant capacity was significantly associated with the intraocular pressure-independent vascular narrowing in POAG patients. This study provided a novel insight into the pathophysiology of glaucoma and highlighted the clinical impact on systemic antioxidant treatment for patients with glaucoma.

Linear association between aging and decreased blood thiol antioxidant activity in patients with cataract

“…For BAP, a reflection of the small-molecule antioxidants such as vitamin C and polyphenols, none of the parameters assessed was significantly associated. In our previous studies of glaucoma subjects, lower BAP was associated with glaucoma risk, (7) higher IOP, (10) more severe visual field damage, (11) and narrower retinal vessel diameters (44) in glaucoma, while neither dROM nor SH levels were associated with them. Thus, the results suggested the specific roles of systemic thiols on crystalline lens integrity rather than other eye diseases such as glaucoma.…”

Is Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma a Vascular Disease? Assessment of the Relationship between Retinal Arteriolar Morphology and Glaucoma Severity Using Adaptive Optics

“…It is suggested that altered OBF causes an unstable oxygen supply and thus may cause glaucoma damage [27,28]. Oxidative DNA damage can affect trabeculae, which induces resistance to aqueous humour outflow and RGCs, driving neurodegenerative changes [29,30]. Disruption of vascular autoregulation in ONH [27,31,32], higher retinal vascular resistance [33], and an imbalance between the vasoconstrictor ET-1 and the vasodilator nitric oxide have been observed in glaucoma [7].…”

Is Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma a Vascular Disease? – Assessment of the Relationship of Retinal Arteriolar Morphology and Glaucoma Severity Using Adaptive Optics

“…Vascular theory suggests that altered OBF causes unstable oxygen supply and thus causes glaucoma damage [27,28]. Oxidative DNA damage can affect trabeculae, which induces resistance to aqueous outflow and RGCs, driving neurodegenerative changes [29,30]. Disruption of vascular autoregulation in ONH [27,31,32] and higher retinal vascular resistance [33] also seem to play an essential role in the aetiology and progression of glaucoma.…”