ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate whether patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) show an enhanced stress response to reduced oxygen supply compared to age-matched healthy controls, measured by serum adrenaline and endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels and changes in distal finger temperature. METHODS: A thorough clinical characterization of patients with NTG and age-matched controls was performed prior to inclusion in the study. Twelve patients with NTG and eleven healthy controls met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent a two-day investigation. Participants were randomly exposed to either hypoxia or normoxia during the first visit. Hypoxia or normoxia was induced for two hours through a tightly fitting face mask. In addition, the peripheral circulation was assessed with a thermographic camera. Blood samples were obtained before, during, and after hypoxia or normoxia to evaluate systemic stress molecules such as catecholamines and ET-1 levels. RESULTS: In patients with NTG, reduced oxygen supply induced an increase in peripheral blood adrenaline (p < 0.05) and a decrease during recovery (p < 0.01). A difference in distal finger temperature was shown in patients with NTG under hypoxia compared to normoxia (exposure: p < 0.05; recovery: p < 0.05). Hypoxia induced an increase in peripheral blood ET-1 levels in both groups (NTG: p < 0.01; controls: p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with NTG had an enhanced physiological stress response as a consequence of hypoxia compared with age-matched controls. Although more studies are needed, the present study supports the involvement of vascular risk factors in the pathophysiology of NTG.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To assess novel differences in serum levels of glucose, lactate and amino acids in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) compared to age-matched controls, at baseline and in response to universal hypoxia. METHODS: Twelve patients diagnosed with NTG and eleven control subjects underwent normobaric hypoxia for 2 hr. Peripheral venous blood samples were taken at baseline, during hypoxia and in the recovery phase. Serum glucose and lactate levels were measured by a blood gas analyser. Amino acids were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Baseline levels of lactate and total amino acids were significantly lower in patients with NTG compared to healthy controls. No differences were seen in blood glucose levels between the two groups. Lactate levels remained unchanged during hypoxia in the control group, but increased in patients with NTG. In the recovery phase, total amino acid levels were reduced in the control group, whereas no changes were found in patients with NTG. CONCLUSION: Reduced serum levels of lactate and total amino acids were identified as potential markers for NTG. Moreover, significant differential regulatory patterns of certain amino acids were found in patients with NTG compared to control subjects. Overall, our results suggest a link between systemic energy metabolites and NTG and support a novel understanding of glaucoma as an inner retinal manifestation of a systemic condition.
