The role of the cytokines in the pathogenesis of pseudoexfoliation syndrome

AIM:To examine the mechanism of the development of pseudoexfoliation (PSX) syndrome via both cytokine formation and endothelial vasorelaxing and growth factors that will provide us new therapeutic insights for the treatment. METHODS:This is a cross sectional study included two groups; Group 1:control patients with nuclear cataract(n =20, aged 51-80 years). Group 2:PSX patients with nuclear cataract (n=18, aged 50-90 years). Patients with other ophthalmic problems and systemic diseases were excluded. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and nitrotyrosine levels were determined through serum samples by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Nitrite-nitrate levels were measured with photometric endpoint determination. RESULTS:There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, VEGF, IL-1β, nitrite-nitrate and nitrotyrosine. The significant results were the mean IL-6 levels that were higher in PSX group 2 (37.68± 29.52 pg/mL) compared to that in control group 1 (15.32± 10.08 pg/mL) (P 【0.001). CONCLUSION:Several interacting and extending biochemical pathways may lead to the promotion of VEGF and IL-6 expressions. IL-6 which is the only altered marker in our study may indirectly cause an increase of vascular permeability and neovascularization. We suggest inflammation as a factor that can be involved in etiopathogenesis of PSX.

Comparison of total/active ghrelin levels in primary open angle glaucoma,pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation syndrome

AIM：To investigate the levels of ghrelin（Gh）,acylated ghrelin（AGh） and AGh/Gh ratio in the humor aqueous（HA） of cases with pseudoexfoliation syndrome（PXS）,pseudoexfoliation glaucoma（PXG）,primary open angle glaucoma（POAG） and to compare these with control subjects.METHODS：A prospective examination was made of the total Gh,and AGh levels in HA of 67 patients undergoing cataract surgery.Patients were divided into 4 groups.HA samples were aspirated at the beginning of the surgery,stored at -70℃.Gh and AGh quantification was performed with ELISA kits and the AGh/total-Gh ratios were calculated.ANOVA,Kruskal-Wallis,Chi-square and post-hoc tests were used for statistical analysis.RESULTS：Total Gh levels in HA were 189.2±45.6 pg/mL in the control group,199.2±32.9 pg/mL in PXS,180.6±20.9 pg/mL in PXG and 176.8±21.4 pg/mL in POAG groups（P〉0.05）.AGh levels in HA were 23.09±5.01 pg/mL in the control group,24.13±5.22 pg/mL in PXS,22.29±1.55 pg/m L in PXG and 19.69±2.93 pg/mL in POAG groups（P〉0.05）.The ratio of AGh/Gh was 10.3%±2.34% in the control group,13.03%±2.58% in PXS,12.3%±1.54% in PXG and 11.79%±1.41% in POAG groups（P=0.044）.The difference between the PXS and control groups was significant（P=0.03）.CONCLUSION：In spite of statistically insignificant results,the HA total Gh levels were lower than those of the control subjects but not parallel with the AGh levels in glaucoma patients.The relative increase in the AGh/Gh ratio in glaucoma cases supports the view that proportional increases of AGh might play a role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.

Corneal endothelial cell density and morphology in Chinese patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome

AIM: To evaluate the corneal endothelial cell density and morphology in Chinese patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX). METHODS: Medical records of 16 patients (20 eyes) with PEX who presented to our institution between July 2008 and June 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Thirteen eyes had combined glaucoma. The information of five apparently normal fellow eyes in these patients was also recorded. Left eyes of 20 patients with bilateral senile cataracts but no other eye disease were included as controls. Specular microscopy was performed in all eyes to analyze for corneal endothelial cell density and morphology. Cell density, coefficient of variation in cell size, and percentage of hexagonal cells in corneal endothelium were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean corneal endothelial cell density in the PEX eyes was 2298+/- 239 cells/mm(2), significantly lower than that in the cataract eyes (2652+/- 18 cells/mm(2), P=0.026), but there were no significant differences in coefficient of variation of cell size and frequency of hexagonality between these two groups. No significant differences in the three parameters were found between the apparently normal fellow eyes and the PEX eyes or the cataract eyes, or between the PEX eyes with and without glaucoma. CONCLUSION: Corneal endothelial cell density may decrease in Chinese patients with PEX. The development of glaucoma in PEX eyes does not seem to be related with the change in corneal endothelial cell density or morphology.

Total oxidative stress, paraoxonase and arylesterase levels at patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma

AIMTo investigate the oxidative stress status of the aqueous humor and serum of patients with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEG) and to measure paraoxonase (PON) and arylesterase (ARE) levels.METHODSA total of 78 patients were enrolled in the study, with 26 patients in each separate group. The patients were divided into three groups: the first group entailed PEX syndrome patients, while the second group consisted of patients with PEG and the third group involved patients with no additional systemic diseases, other than the diagnosis of cataract as control. Total oxidative stress (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), PON, and ARE levels in aqueous humor and serum were measured.RESULTSTAC, PON and arylesterase levels in aqueous humor and serum of the PEX syndrome and PEG patients were significantly decreased compared with control group (P<0.05). TOS values were higher in patients with PEX syndrome and PEG than controls (P<0.05). TAC, PON and ARE levels of aqueous humor did not differ significantly between the PEX syndrome and PEG groupsCONCLUSIONThese findings are potentially of significance and add to the growing body of evidence for oxidative stress in PEX syndrome and PEG. Decreased antioxidant defense and increased oxidative stress system may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PEX syndrome and PEG.

Prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome and its association with ocular and systemic diseases in Eskisehir,Turkey

AIM： To investigate the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome （PEX） and its associations with ocular and systemic diseases in a population sample aged over 40y. METHODS： A total of 2356 subjects were randomly chosen for the sample population based on the database of the Turkish Statistical Agency in Eskisehir. Of the invited 2356 subjects, 2017 subjects participated, out of which 2009 were eligible for the study. Systemic diseases, drug use, smoking and body mass index were assessed using questionnaires. Measurements of central corneal thickness （CCT）, anterior chamber depth （ACD） and intraocular pressure （IOP） were performed during June to December, 2015. After pupillary dilation, the anterior segment and lenses were evaluated using a slit lamp.RESULTS： Prevalence of PEX in this sample was 5.0% （n=100）. Of patients with PEX, 26% also had glaucoma. Incidence of cataracts, and using drugs for hypertension, cardiac and psychiatric conditions was higher in patients with PEX compared to normal cases （P〈0.05）. Hearing loss was more common in PEX cases （34.0% vs 5.4%; P〈0.001）. The mean CCT, ACD and IOP were not significantly different between PEX and non-PEX cases.CONCLUSION： This study is the first population-based, randomized trial in Turkey. Prevalence of PEX in patients over 40 years old was found to be 5.0%. Besides glaucoma and cataract, hypertension, hearing loss, using drugs for cardiac and psychiatric diseases were associated with PEX.

Association of sensorineural hearing loss and pseudoexfoliation syndrome:a meta-analysis

Background:Previous studies that assessed the association of sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL)and pseudoexfoliation syndrome(PEX)produced contradictory results.We conducted a meta-analysis to further evaluate this relationship.Methods:Eligible studies that evaluated the association between SNHL and PEX were identified.Summary odds ratios(ORs)and 95%confidence intervals(CIs)were calculated employing random-effects models.Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed to assess heterogeneity by several covariates.Publication bias was tested by Begg’s funnel plot and Egger’s regression test.Results:A total of 14 eligible studies,involving 1,142 PEX patients and 9,914 controls,were included in this meta-analysis.Overall analysis showed that patients with PEX,when compared with the control group,experienced a significantly increased risk for hearing loss[OR:3.74(95%CI:2.56 to 5.47);P<0.001].Substantial heterogeneity was observed.Subgroup analysis revealed a decrease in this heterogeneity in ageand sex-matched studies and in studies that used the same definition of hearing loss.Meta-regression analysis showed that definition of hearing loss contributed to substantial heterogeneity(P=0.044).No evidence of publication bias was observed.Discussion:We found that PEX is associated with an increased risk of SNHL.The effect of PEX on the prevalence of hearing loss indicates that PEX is clearly a systemic disease with potential otological complications.

Effect of torsional mode phacoemulsification on cornea in eyes with/without pseudoexfoliation

AIM: To evaluate the effect of torsional mode phacoemulsification on central corneal thickness, corneal endothelial cell density, and morphology in eyes with/without pseudoexfoliation(PEX) syndrome.METHODS: Fourty-two consecutive patients with and42 patients without PEX as a control group scheduled for cataract surgery was studied. Phacoemulsification, using OZi L IP system, was performed with quick chop technique. Using noncontact specular microscopy, the central endothelial cell density(ECD), coefficient of variation, percentage of hexagonal cells, and the central corneal thickness(CCT) were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at 1, 7 and 30 d.RESULTS: The ECD in PEX syndrome was statistically significantly lower than that in the control group preoperatively and postoperatively(P ≤0.001).Percentage change in ECD was statistically significantly higher in PEX than that in control group after surgery follow up(P ≤0.04).There was no statistically significant difference between both groups comparing percentage of hexagonal cells and coefficient of variation in the cell size before and after the surgery. At 1 and 7d after surgery, percentage change in CCT was statistically significantly higher in PEX group than that in the control group(P ≤0.041).CONCLUSION: Although torsional mode phacoemulsification and intraocular lens(IOL) implantation provided a safe and favorable surgical outcome in patients with/without PEX, torsional phacoemulsification led to significantly higher ECD loss in the PEX group than that in the control group during the whole follow up period.In addition, more corneal swelling in the PEX group than that in the control group during the early postoperative period has indicated that the corneal endothelium, in presence of PEX endotheliopathy, seems to be more susceptible to the effects of phacoemulsification surgeryin eyes with PEX. The increased risk of anterior chamber manipulations in patients with PEX should be taken into account for an increased risk of bullous keratopathy.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy in patients with unilateral pseudoexfoliation

·AIM: To compare the anterior segment morphology evaluated using ultrasound biomicroscopy(UBM) in patients with clinical pseudoexfoliation syndrome(XFS)in one eye and no clinical XFS in the fellow eye.·METHODS: Thirty patients with unilateral XFS were included in the study. All patients underwent evaluation of their anterior segment using UBM with and without dilatation with 1% cyclopentolate. The anterior chamber depth(ACD), lens thickness(LT), anterior chamber angle(ACA), ciliary body thickness(CBT), scleral thickness(ST), trabeculae-ciliary processes distance(T-CPD), and iris-ciliary processes distance(I-CPD) were measured using UBM scans. All results between the eyes with clinical XFS and their fellow eyes without clinical XFS were then compared.·RESULTS: Before dilatation the eyes with XFS(4.350±0.531 mm) were found to have a significantly thicker lens(P =0.002) than the eyes without XFS(4.238 ±0.540 mm).In addition after dilatation, the eyes with XFS(4.310 ±0.500 mm) were found to have a significantly thicker lens than the eyes without XFS(4.160±0.480 mm)(P=0.019).The average ACD, for the group with XFS, comparing pre-dilatation(2.616 ±0.349 mm) and post-dilatation measurements(2.714±0.413) was found to be statistically increased(P =0.014). The average ACD, comparing pre-dilatation to post-dilatation measurements in patients without XFS(2.680±0.360),(2.720±0.500) was found to be statistically unchanged(P =0.450).·CONCLUSION: Crystalline lenses tended to be thicker in the eyes with clinical pseudoexfoliation than their fellow eyes without pseudoexfoliation.

Prevalence and Associations of Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma in a Group of Tertiary Eye Care Facilities in Southwest Nigeria

Background: Globally, glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma is the most common form of secondary open angle glaucoma. Purpose: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG) among newly diagnosed glaucoma patients in Eye Foundation Hospital Ikeja, Guinness Eye Center, Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Deseret Community Vision Institute, Ijebu Imushin. Methods: This hospital-based, descriptive cross-sectional study included newly diagnosed adult glaucoma patients at the glaucoma clinics of three tertiary eye care centers. A study proforma was used to obtain socio-demographic information, medical history, ocular history and relevant findings on ocular and systemic examination. Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were performed. Values were considered statistically significant where P Results: One hundred and forty adult glaucoma patients aged 60.5 ± 11.9 SD years and male to female ratio of 2:1 were examined. The prevalence of PXG among the glaucoma patients was 16.9%. The pseudoexfoliative material (PXM) was most commonly found on the pupil (39%). Common ocular features seen among PXG patients were poor pupillary dilation with mydriatic agents (44%) and Sampaolesi’s line in the anterior chamber angle (41%). A higher proportion of PXG patients than primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients showed signs of severe glaucoma, including severe optic disc cupping (P = 0.019) and visual field defects (P = 0.014). Hearing defects were the only significantly associated non-ocular feature (P = 0.0005). Conclusion: The prevalence of PXG was 16.9%. This implies that it is relatively common in Nigeria. Hearing loss is an important non-ocular association. Careful ocular examination of glaucoma patients is recommended to identify PXG, which runs a more severe clinical course than POAG.