Purpose To evaluate differences in the pattern of optic disc and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) damage in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and high-tension glaucoma (HTG) patients. Methods We enrolled 49 eyes of 49 patients:30 NTG (IOP≤21 mm Hg,1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa), 19 HTG(IOP≥25 mm Hg). Mean age was 59.2±12.3 (range, 36-75) for HTG patients, and 59.6±8.6(range, 39-71) for NTG patients. All patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination, achromatic automated perimetry (AAP), scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO), scanning laser polarimetry (SLP), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Heidelberg retinal tomography (HRT). All patients had glaucomatous optic nerve damage and abnormal AAP. Results There were no differences in mean deviation on AAP between NTG and HTG eyes (P=0.37), while the corrected pattern standard deviation was larger in NTG than in HTG eyes (P=0.014). Cup∶disc area ratios in global (P=0.03) and three sectors (Plt;0.05) except nasal sector were significantly larger in the NTG group, whereas rim area in global (P=0.03) and three sectors (Plt;0.05) except nasal quadrant obtained by SLO were smaller in NTG than in HTG eyes. The other numerical parameters obtained by three imaging technologies could not detect differences in the optic disc or RNFL anatomy between the two groups. Conclusions Cup∶disc area ratio was larger in patients with NTG than in those with HTG, whereas significant thinning of rim was associated with NTG eyes. The measurement of retinal nerve layer thickness in global and each quadrant was similar between two groups. More focal or segmental analysis of the data contained within SLO, SLP and OCT images are needed to detect localized differences in eyes with varying levels of IOP. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2002, 18: 109-112)
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) induced by laser in mice. Methods Eighty male C57BL/6J mice at the age of 6-8 weeks old were randomly divided into the normal control, photocoagulation model, photocoagulation with phosphate buffered saline (PBS control group) and photocoagulation with TGF-β receptor inhibitor groups (TGF-β receptor inhibitor group), twenty mice of each group. Fundus argon laser photocoagulation was performed in the photocoagulation model group, PBS control group and TGF-β receptor inhibitor group to induce CNV. One week, two, three and four weeks after the laser procedure, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) was carried out in the normal control or photocoagulation model groups to observe CNV formation dynamically. Western blot was used to analyze the expressions of TGF-β in the retina from the mice of normal control or photocoagulation model groups, and VEGF or TNF-α in the retina of normal control, PBS control or TGF-β receptor inhibitor groups. The CNV areas of each group were evaluated by using fluorescein stain on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid flat mounts after two weeks of photocoagulation. ResultsThe FFA results showed the retinal vessels centered on the optic disc and arranged radially, while the choroidal vascular present network distribution in the normal control mice. Significant leakage of fluorescein showed discoid strong fluorophore in photocoagulation sites of retina at one week after photocoagulation. The quantitative analysis results of Western blot demonstrated that the TGF-β protein expression levels in retina of photocoagulation model mice gradually increased with time passing. The protein expression levels of TGF-β were significant differences in the photocoagulation model group comparing with the normal control group (F=13.042, P < 0.05). The protein expression levels of TNF-α (F=14.721, 17.509) and VEGF (F=18.890, 11.251) increased significantly in retina of PBS control or TGF-β receptor inhibitor groups when compared with that of normal control group at one week, two, three and four weeks after photocoagulation, and the differences were both statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with PBS control group, the protein levels of TNF-α and VEGF in retina from TGF-β receptor inhibitor group were significantly reduced, the differences was statistically significant (F=21.321, 16.160, P < 0.05). Two weeks after laser photocoagulation, a distinct reduction in CNV lesion size in the TGF-β receptor inhibitor group mice when compared to PBS or normal control groups, the differences was statically significant (F=4.482, P < 0.05). ConclusionTGF-β may promote CNV formation by up-regulating both TNF-α and VEGF protein expressions, the application of its specific inhibitor is able to reduce CNV progression.
Objective To investigate the features of optic disc formation and retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL) changes in primary open-angle glaucoma with myopia (M-POAG). Methods On 63 eyes of 38 patients with M-POAG were imaged of the fundus,and were evaluated with the microcomputer image analyser,and were compared with the simple POAG (S-POAG) eyes. Results Variant features of the optic disc and RNFL atrophy were found in this M-POAG eyes.The shapes of the optic disc were revealed to be vertically or horizontally oval,obliquely inserted and irregular,the color of the most of optic disc was pallor.The pattern of glaucomatous cupping was saucer-like (28.6%),vertical (25.4%),oblique (23.8%),pot-like (9.5%),and focally or concentrically cupped.The quotient of the neuroretinal rim area and horizontal C/D ratio were significantly lower than those in S-POAG eyes (Plt;0.05,Plt;0.001).The focal point of the optic disc excavtions tended to be inferior.Most of the incidence in the focal atrophy of RNFL was located inferiorly,and the diffuse atrophy of RNFL was correlated positively with middle or late high-myopia POAG eyes (P＜0.005). Conclusion The variant features of the optic discs,glaucomatous cupping and RNFL atrophy formation in M-POAG eyes found in this series might be helpful in clinical diagnosis. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2000,16:81-84)
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of angiostatin on the activity of extra-cellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) of retinal microvascular endothelial cells of mice.MethodsAngiostatin was separated and purified by l-lysine sepharose 4B from human plasma. The primary retinal microvascular endothelial cells were divided into 4 groups: the control group, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) 10 ng/ml group, angiostatin 130 μg/ml group, and VEGF (10 ng/ml) + angiostatin (130 μg/ml) group. The expression of ERK1 was assayed by Westernblotting method 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes after the treatment of angiostatin.ResultsCompared with the control group, the expression of ERK-1 reduced 1 minute after treatment, reduced markedly after 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, no differences of the expression of ERK were seen between the control group and angiostatin group. The activation of ERK-1 of retinal microvascular endothelial cells occurred after stimulated by VEGF, and at the pitch at the peak after 5 minutes. The level of ERK in VEGF group increased 210% than that in the control (P＜0.05). After 30 minutes, no significant difference of the level of ERK between VEGF and the control group. And because of angiostatin, the expression of ERK-1 decreased 11.9%(1 minute)、17.9%(2 minutes)、38.7%(5 minutes)、49.3%(10 minutes) （P＜0.05）、27.9%(15 minutes)、1.12%(30 minutes) respectively.ConclusionsAngiostatin can effectively block the signal path through which VEGF transmits from outside of the cell to cellular nuclei. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:170-173)