Homocysteine (2004) levels in glaucoma

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"Elevated homocysteine levels in aqueous humor of patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma"

In a study published in 2004, researchers wanted measure homocysteine levels in open-angle pseudoexfoliation glaucoma patients. Pseudoexfoliation, according to wikipedia, is an eye-disease "characterized by the accumulation of microscopic granular amyloid-like protein fibers."

The researchers looked at total homocysteine levels in the aqueous humor and plasma of 29 patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and 31 control patients with cataract.

They observed elevated (200%) homocysteine levels in the glaucoma patients. Additionally, the ratio of plasma to aqueous humor was much lower in these patients.

The researchers concluded that high levels of homocysteine in the aqueous humor may trigger the abnormal fiber accumulation.

Researchers: Bleich S, Roedl J, Von Ahsen N, Schlotzer-Schrehardt U, Reulbach U, Beck G, Kruse FE, Naumann GO, Kornhuber J, Junemann AG., Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. stefan.bleich@psych.imed.uni-erlangen.de

Published: PMID: 15234308 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]