Background

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common form of chronic, progressive optic neuropathies characterized by slow degeneration of the retinal ganglion cells and their axons, resulting in visual field loss. Risk factors for this disease are elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), increased age, European and African ethnicity, family history, myopia and decreased corneal thickness. In addition, studies indicated that levels of trace elements are also significantly related to the POAG.

Method

The association between toxic and essential elements and POAG was explored in a population-based case–control study in the Sardinia Island (Italy). The aqueous humor levels of Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were measured in 25 POAG patients compared to 20 age- and gender-matched healthy controls by sector field inductively coupled mass spectrometry. Risk factors as gender, age and increased IOP were also explored.

Results

The concentrations of Fe, Hg and Zn were significantly higher in POAG patients than in control subjects, showing these elements as possible determinants in POAG development or degeneration. Other findings were the increased Cu and Fe levels in glaucomatous patients with age less than 70 years. Levels of Ni were found elevated in POAG females. Mercury accumulated more in POAG females, in patients over 70 years and in those with higher levels of IOP in the left eye. Moreover, the positive associations CuFe and Mn-Zn may indicate synergistic effects of elements.

Conclusions

Altogether, these findings suggested a multifactorial role in the risk for POAG disease. The present study documented the levels of trace elements in aqueous humor of Sardinian POAG patients for the first time.

中文翻译：

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一项评估开角型青光眼房水微量元素水平的初步研究。

 背景

原发性开角型青光眼 (POAG) 是最常见的慢性进行性视神经病变，其特征是视网膜神经节细胞及其轴突缓慢变性，导致视野丧失。这种疾病的危险因素包括眼压（IOP）升高、年龄增加、欧洲和非洲种族、家族史、近视和角膜厚度减少。此外，研究表明微量元素水平也与POAG显着相关。

 方法

在撒丁岛（意大利）进行的一项基于人群的病例对照研究中探讨了有毒元素和必需元素与 POAG 之间的关联。通过扇形场电感耦合质谱法测量了 25 名 POAG 患者的房水中 Al、Cd、Cu、Fe、Hg、Mn、Ni、Pb 和 Zn 的水平，并与 20 名年龄和性别匹配的健康对照进行比较。还探讨了性别、年龄和眼压升高等危险因素。

 结果

POAG 患者的 Fe、Hg 和 Zn 浓度显着高于对照组，表明这些元素可能是 POAG 发展或变性的决定因素。其他发现还包括年龄小于 70 岁的青光眼患者的铜和铁水平升高。 POAG 雌性体内的 Ni 水平升高。 POAG 女性、70 岁以上患者以及左眼眼压较高的患者体内汞积累较多。此外，积极的关联铜 铁和锰- Zn可能表明元素的协同​​效应。

 结论

总而言之，这些发现表明 POAG 疾病风险中存在多种因素。本研究首次记录了撒丁岛 POAG 患者房水中微量元素的水平。