Relationship between intraocular pressure and parameters of obesity in ocular hypertension

AIM:To evaluate the correlation between intraocular pressure(IOP)and various obesity-related health factors in patients with ocular hypertension in Korea.METHODS:A total of 40850 subjects underwent age,sex,body weight,and height assessments and automated multiphasic tests,including non-contact tonometry,automated perimetry,fundus photography,systolic/diastolic blood pressure measurement,and evaluation of obesity-related health parameters such as obesity index,body mass index(BMI),a body shape index(ABSI),and waist-to-height ratio(WtHR).Subjects were divided into ocular hypertension group and normal IOP group according to IOP after matching of age and sex.RESULTS:Of 40850 participants,1515(3.7%)had ocular hypertension,and 1515 with normal IOP were selected as controls using propensity score matching.The mean IOP of control group was 15.3±2.3 mm Hg,compared with 23.3±1.6 mm Hg in ocular hypertension group.Height,obesity index,BMI,and WtHR in the ocular hypertension group were significantly higher than in the normal IOP group(P<0.001,P<0.001,P=0.009,P=0.002).IOP of ocular hypertension was positively correlated with obesity index(P=0.027)and BMI(P=0.016),whereas IOP of control was positively correlated with blood pressure(P<0.001,P=0.002),obesity index(P<0.001),BMI(P<0.001),and WHtR(P=0.002).Systolic blood pressure(β=0.022,P<0.001)and body weight(β=0.016,P=0.02)were precursors of IOP in normal subjects,but sex(male;β=-0.231,P=0.008)and obesity index(β=-0.007,P=0.017)were precursors of ocular hypertension according to multiple regression analysis.CONCLUSION:Among various obesity-related health parameters,obesity index is the best indicator for further increase in IOP in ocular hypertension group.

Anti-scarring effects of butaprost on human subconjunctival Tenon's fibroblasts

AIM： To investigate the toxicity of the E-prostanoid 2（EP2） receptor agonist, butaprost against human subconjunctival（Tenon＇s capsule） fibroblasts, and to determine the underlying mechanism. METHODS： We isolated Tenon＇s fibroblasts from the subconjunctival area of healthy subjects and evaluated the types of EP receptors expressed using quantitative realtime reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction（RTPCR）. The toxicity of butaprost against the fibroblasts was evaluated using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and lactic dehydrogenase assays. The inhibition of conjunctival fibroblast proliferation by butaprost was assessed by measuring α-actin levels. The underlying mechanism was assessed by measuring intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate（c AMP） levels. Intergroup differences were statistically analyzed using an independent t-test. Densitometry of the Western blot bands was performed using the Image J software. RESULTS： Quantitative real-time RT-PCR revealed that the fibroblast EP2 receptor levels were higher than those of the other EP receptors. Butaprost did not show toxicity against Tenon＇s tissue, but inhibited conjunctival fibroblast proliferation by reducing collagen synthesis. EP2 receptor activation enhanced the c AMP cascade, which might be an important mechanism underlying this effect.CONCLUSION： Butaprost effectively reduces the subconjunctival scarring response. Given the significanceof wound healing modulation in blebs, butaprost＇s inhibitory effect on subconjunctival Tenon＇s fibroblasts may be beneficial in managing postoperative scarring in glaucoma surgery.