Association of NT-proANP Level in Plasma and Humor Aqueous with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine differences in the levels of NT-proANP in the plasma and aqueous humor of glaucoma and cataract patients and to evaluate whether any relationships are present.

METHODS

The study group consisted of 58 patients with primary-open glaucoma (POAG) undergoing trabeculectomy surgery. The control group was comprised of 32 age-matched cataract patients. The concentration of the N-terminal fragment of the proatrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP, 1-98) in the aqueous humor and blood plasma samples was measured using an immunochemical method (ELISA).

RESULTS

The plasma NT-proANP concentration was significantly increased in patients with POAG compared to that in the control group (7.00 vs. 4.65 nmol/L, P = 0.0054). Similarly, the NT-proANP concentration in the aqueous humor was significantly higher in the POAG patients (0.47 vs. 0.09 nmol/L, P = 0.0112). However, there was no correlation between the NT-proANP values in the aqueous humor and the plasma of the POAG patients, as well as between the NT-proANP values in the aqueous humor and the intraocular pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified an association between the levels of NT-proANP in the plasma and the aqueous humor with POAG. Our data support the idea of the involvement of NP system in the development of POAG and highlight ANP as a possible biomarker of glaucoma.