The Relationship Between the Activity of Matrix Metalloproteinase in the Aqueous Humor and the Development of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

ABSTRACT

To investigate whether the abnormal expression of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) in the aqueous humor may case the development of glaucoma, the activity of MMP in the aqueous humor of galucoma and cataract patients were measured and compared. Six primary open angle glaucoma(POAG), 2 chronic angle closureglaucoma(CACG), 2 normal tension glaucoma(NTG), and 14 cataract patients were enrolled. Aqueous humor of each patients were collected during surgery, and total protein concentration and activity of gelatinase A in the aqueous humor were measured by protein assay kit and zymography, respectively. Total protein concentration and gelatinase A activity of POAG patients were increased by 2.1 times and 3.9 times, respectively compared to those of cataract patients. However, there were no statistically significant changes in total protein concentration and gelatinase A activity of CACG and NTG patients compared to those of cataract patients. In conclusion, the development of POAG may be associated with the abnormal expression of MMP in the aqueous humor.