scholarly journals A study on plasma homocysteine level in age-related macular degeneration

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sourav Ghosh ◽  
M Saha ◽  
D Das
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Homocysteine Level ◽  
Plasma Homocysteine ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Plasma Homocysteine Level ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Dry Amd ◽  
Wet Amd

Introduction: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) related to adverse vascular changes is the most frequent cause of irreversible visual impairment in the elderly. Elevated plasma concentrations of serum homocysteine have been shown to increase the risk of vascular disease. Objective: To assess the relationship between plasma homocysteine level and age related macular degeneration. Materials and methods: A case control study was conducted in a tertiary eye care hospital with 32 diagnosed AMD patients. The patients were compared for plasma homocysteine levels with a control group of 32 patients without AMD. A 1.5 ml of fasting venous blood sample was obtained from each participant. Plasma homocysteine level was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. The main outcome measure was hyperhomocysteinemia, defined as a plasma homocysteine level above 15 μmol/l. Results: Hyperhomocysteinemia was found in 10 blood samples (83.3 %) of patients in the wet AMD group, in 16 (80 %) blood samples in the dry AMD group, and in 12 blood samples (37%) of controls. The mean ± SD homocysteine level in the AMD group was 16.86 ± 3.52 μmol/L, while in the non-AMD control group it was 14.53 ± 4.08 μmol/L. This difference was statistically significant (p-value = 0.0186). In the individual analysis, it was also found out that the homocysteine level differed significantly between cases and controls in only the wet variety of AMD. Conclusion: Hyperhomocysteinemia was significantly associated with the wet AMD variety but not with the dry AMD. Thus, homocysteine by oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction can be an important risk factor in the pathogenesis of AMD. Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013; 5(10): 195-200 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i2.8728

scholarly journals THE HOMING TRIAL: A RETROSPECTIVE PILOT STUDY ON THE EFFICACY OF PERSONALIZED BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE, DIETARY SUPPLEMENT AND NUTRITION CARE PLANS FOR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (AMD)

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
George W. Rozakis ◽  
Brian A. Bakke
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Gene Expression ◽  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Dry Amd ◽  
Wet Amd

The objective of the Hormones, Oxidative stress, Methylation, Inflammation and Gene expression (HOMING) trial was to assess the efficacy of personalized bio identical hormone, dietary supplement and nutritional care plans on dry and wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) outcomes.  We evaluated 220 Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) patients that followed a personalized clinical care plan for up to 9 months.   The care plans consisted of bio identical hormones, dietary supplements and nutrition recommendations with the objective to improve lab and clinical measurements linked to oxidative stress, inflammation and gene expression.  Serum concentrations of CRP, HbA1c and homocysteine responded favorably to the HOMING protocol with full program compliance. Sixty percent (42/70) of wet AMD patients reported improvement in visual acuity and/or a reduction in the frequency of anti-VEGF injections during the study period.  Forty eight percent (44/92) of dry AMD patients reported improvement in visual acuity during the study period.  Nine percent (4/45) patients reported improvement in visual acuity in the dry AMD control group and no (0/13) wet AMD patients in the control group reported improvement.  Six percent (4/70) of wet AMD patients reported that their vision declined and/or that their F frequency increased during the study period.  Five percent (4/92) of dry AMD patients reported that their vision was worse.  Keywords:  Bio identical Hormones, Oxidative stress, Methylation, Inflammation, Gene Expression, Nutrition and AMD.

scholarly journals Outer retinal tubulation formation and clinical course of advanced age-related macular degeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Arrigo ◽  
Emanuela Aragona ◽  
Ottavia Battaglia ◽  
Andrea Saladino ◽  
Alessia Amato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Müller Cells ◽  
Geographic Atrophy ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Advanced Age ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Dry Amd ◽  
Foveal Sparing ◽  
Wet Amd

AbstractOuter retinal tubulations (ORT) are a relatively new finding characterizing outer retinal atrophy. The main aim of the present study was to describe ORT development in advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to assess its relationship with disease’s severity. Patients with advanced AMD characterized either by macular neovascularization or geographic atrophy, showing signs of outer retinal disruption or retinal pigment epithelium atrophy on structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) at the inclusion examination were prospectively recruited. All the patients underwent complete ophthalmologic evaluation, structural OCT scans and fundus autofluorescence imaging. The planned follow-up was of 3-years. Main outcome measures were ORT prevalence, mechanism of ORT formation, mean time needed for complete ORT formation, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), definitely decreased autofluorescence (DDAF) area, questionably decreased autofluorescence (QDAF) area, retinal layer thickness, foveal sparing, number of intravitreal injections. We also assessed the possible role of external limiting membrane (ELM) and Müller cells in ORT pathogenesis. Seventy eyes (70 patients) were included; 43 showed dry AMD evolving to geographic atrophy, while 27 displayed the features of wet AMD. Baseline BCVA was 0.5 ± 0.5 LogMAR, decreasing to 0.9 ± 0.5 LogMAR at the 3-year follow-up (p < 0.01). We detected completely formed ORT in 26/70 eyes (37%), subdivided as follows: 20 eyes (77%) wet AMD and 6 eyes (23%) dry AMD (p < 0.01). ORT took 18 ± 8 months (range 3–35 months) to develop fully. We described the steps leading to ORT development, characterized by progressive involvement of, and damage to the photoreceptors, the ELM and the RPE. Eyes displaying ORT were associated with a smaller QDAF area, less retinal layers damage and lower rate of foveal sparing than eyes free of ORT (p < 0.01). We also described pigment accumulations simulating ORT, which were detected in 16/70 eyes (23%), associated with a greater loss of foveal sparing, increased DDAF area and smaller QDAF area at the 3-year follow-up (p < 0.01). In conclusion, this study provided a description of the steps leading to ORT development in AMD. ELM and Müller cells showed a role in ORT pathogenesis. Furthermore, we described a subtype of pigment hypertrophy mimicking ORT, evaluating its clinical utility.

scholarly journals Therapeutic Effect of Garcinia cambogia Extract and Hydroxycitric Acid Inhibiting Hypoxia-Inducible Factor in a Murine Model of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (20) ◽  
pp. 5049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibuki ◽  
Shoda ◽  
Miwa ◽  
Ishida ◽  
Tsubota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Luciferase Assay ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Garcinia Cambogia ◽  
Food Ingredients ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Dry Amd ◽  
Wet Amd

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness and can be classified into two types called atrophic AMD (dry AMD) and neovascular AMD (wet AMD). Dry AMD is characterized by cellular degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium, choriocapillaris, and photoreceptors. Wet AMD is characterized by the invasion of abnormal vessels from the choroid. Although anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy has a potent therapeutic effect against the disease, there is a possibility of chorio-retinal atrophy and adverse systemic events due to long-term robust VEGF antagonism. We focused on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) regulation of VEGF transcription, and report the suppressive effects of HIF inhibition against ocular phenotypes in animal models. Many of the known HIF inhibitors are categorized as anti-cancer drugs, and their systemic side effects are cause for concern in clinical use. In this study, we explored food ingredients that have HIF inhibitory effects and verified their effects in an animal model of AMD. Methods: Food ingredients were screened using a luciferase assay. C57BL6/J mice were administered the Garcinia cambogia extract (Garcinia extract) and hydroxycitric acid (HCA). Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was induced by laser irradiation. Results: Garcinia extract and HCA showed inhibitory effects on HIF in the luciferase assay. The laser CNV model mice showed significant reduction of CNV volume by administering Garcinia extract and HCA. Conclusions: Garcinia extract and HCA showed therapeutic effects in a murine AMD model.

Efficacy of Vitrectomy and Macular Hole Repair in Eyes With Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-98
Author(s):  
Omar M. Ismail ◽  
Lauren Mason ◽  
John O. Mason
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Macular Hole ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Macular Holes ◽  
Pars Plana ◽  
Dry Amd ◽  
Wet Amd

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to examine the efficacy of macular hole repair in eyes with coexisting dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of charts of 25 patients (27 eyes) diagnosed with mild to moderate dry AMD who underwent macular hole repair via 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy between 2014 and 2016. Data of interest included anatomic failure rates, complication rates, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) preoperatively, and at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively. When available, data at each patient’s most recent visit were also analyzed. Results: Macular hole repair resulted in a statistically significant ( P < .05) visual improvement postoperatively, with BCVA increasing from 20/141 preoperatively to 20/33 1 year postoperatively. Mean BCVA at most recent visit was 20/41. Mean duration of follow-up was 13 months (range, 1-39 months). One of 27 (3.7%) macular holes failed to close after vitrectomy. One of 27 eyes (3.7%) progressed from dry to wet AMD. Four of 27 additional eyes (18.5%) were noted to have worsening of their AMD on exam over the course of follow-up. Conclusions: Macular hole repair in patients with coexisting dry AMD leads to a significant improvement in visual performance and has a low risk of failure or complication.

scholarly journals Association of genetic variants rs641153 (CFB), rs2230199 (C3), and rs1410996 (CFH) with age-related macular degeneration in a Brazilian population

2021 ◽  
pp. 153537022110245
Author(s):  
Jamil M Neto ◽  
Marina GM Viturino ◽  
Galina Ananina ◽  
Flávia F Bajano ◽  
Sueli M da S Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protective Effect ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Genetic Variants ◽  
Brazilian Population ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Complement Factor ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Significant Protective Effect ◽  
Wet Amd

This study aimed to investigate the association among genetic variants of the complement pathway CFB R32Q (rs641153), C3 R102G (rs2230199), and CFH (rs1410996) with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a sample of the Brazilian population. In a case-control study, 484 AMD patients were classified according to the clinical age-related maculopathy grading system (CARMS) and compared to 479 unrelated controls. The genetic variants rs1410996 of complement H (CFH), rs641153 of complement factor B (CFB), and rs2230199 of complement 3 (C3) were evaluated through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. The associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and AMD, adjusted by age, were assessed by using logistic regression models. A statistically significant association was observed between AMD risk and rs2230199 variant with an OR of 2.01 ( P  = 0.0002) for CG individuals compared to CC individuals. Regarding the comparison of advanced AMD versus the control group, the OR was 2.12 ( P = 0.0036) for GG versus AA genotypes for rs1410996 variant. Similarly, the OR for rs2230199 polymorphism was 2.3034 ( P  = 5.47e-05) when comparing CG individuals to CC carriers. In contrast, the rs641153 variant showed a significant protective effect against advanced AMD for GA versus GG genotype (OR = 0.4406; P  = 0.0019). When comparing wet AMD versus controls, a significant association was detected for rs1410996 variant (OR = 2.16; P  = 0.0039) comparing carriers of the homozygous GG versus AA genotype, as well as in the comparisons of GG (OR = 3.0713; P  = 0.0046) and CG genotypes (OR = 2.2249; P  = 0.0002) versus CC genotype for rs2230199 variant, respectively. The rs641153 variant granted a significant protective effect against wet AMD for GA versus GG genotypes (OR = 0.4601; P  = 0.0044). Our study confirmed the risk association between rs2230199 and rs1410996 variants and AMD, and the protective role against AMD for rs641153 variant.

scholarly journals Differential Circulating MicroRNA Expression in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (22) ◽  
pp. 12321
Author(s):  
Hanan ElShelmani ◽  
Ian Brennan ◽  
David J. Kelly ◽  
David Keegan
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Circulating Microrna ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Age Related ◽  
At Risk Populations ◽  
Dry Amd ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Wet Amd

This study explored the expression of several miRNAs reported to be deregulated in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Total RNA was isolated from sera from patients with dry AMD (n = 12), wet AMD (n = 14), and controls (n = 10). Forty-two previously investigated miRNAs were selected based on published data and their role in AMD pathogenesis, such as angiogenic and inflammatory effects, and were co-analysed using a miRCURY LNA miRNA SYBR® Green PCR kit via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to validate their presence. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering indicated that AMD serum specimens have a different miRNA profile to healthy controls. We successfully validated the differentially regulated miRNAs in serum from AMD patients versus controls. Eight miRNAs (hsa-let-7a-5p, hsa-let-7d-5p, hsa-miR-23a-3p, hsa-miR-301a-3p, hsa-miR-361-5p, hsa-miR-27b-3p, hsa-miR-874-3p, hsa-miR-19b-1-5p) showed higher expression in the serum of dry AMD patients than wet AMD patients and compared with healthy controls. Increased quantities of certain miRNAs in the serum of AMD patients indicate that these miRNAs could potentially serve as diagnostic AMD biomarkers and might be used as future AMD treatment targets. The discovery of significant serum miRNA biomarkers in AMD patients would provide an easy screening tool for at-risk populations.

scholarly journals Abnormalities of retinal ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer thickness in age-related macular degeneration

2020 ◽  
pp. 97-97
Author(s):  
Maja Zivkovic ◽  
Vesna Jaksic ◽  
Marko Zlatanovic ◽  
Sanja Sefic-Kasumovic ◽  
Aleksandra Radosavljevic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Plexiform Layer ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Inner Plexiform Layer ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Dry Amd ◽  
Healthy Participants ◽  
Wet Amd

Introduction/Objective. The study aims to analyze the thickness of both the ganglion cell layer and the inner plexiform layer (GCL+IPL) among patients suffering from dry and wet form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods. 195 patients with AMD participated in the study, along with 94 healthy individuals (mean age 75.2 ? 7.8 years; range 55-86). They were divided into 3 groups: the first group, or group I, included 100 patients suffering from wet AMD; the second group, or group II, included 95 patients afflicted with dry AMD, while the final 94 patients made up the control group, group III, of healthy individuals without systemic or ocular diseases. Measurements such as the average macular thickness, the average and minimum GCL + IPL thickness, and the GCL+IPL thickness in all 6 sectors were obtained by Cirrus SD-OCT (Carl Zeiss, Dublin, CA). SPSS version 20.0 was used to analyze the data, while the level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results. In the case of patients with wet AMD, the average value for GCL+IPL thickness was 43.13 ?m, for patients with dry AMD the value was 66.73 ?m, and the average thickness measured for the control group 86.23 ?m. There was a statistically significant difference between the average GCL+IPL and minimum GCL+IPL thicknesses between the groups (p < 0.001). Lower values were noted for patients with wet AMD (p < 0.001) than those with dry AMD. In the latter, the average GCL+IPL and the minimum GCL+IPL thicknesses were lower than those of the healthy participants, at a level of statistical significance (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Participants with AMD exhibited thinner GCL+IPL than the healthy participants, as did the participants with wet AMD when compared to the participants with dry AMD.

A Prospective Study on Hereditary Bias of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-93
Author(s):  
Rami Gabriel ◽  
Jaime Toledo-Corral ◽  
Maria Cristina Kenney ◽  
Mitul Mehta
Keyword(s):  
Family History ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
Dry Amd ◽  
Wet Amd

Purpose: This study employed a prospective survey to evaluate whether maternal family history or paternal family history is more likely to be found in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: Family history of AMD was ascertained through a survey questionnaire of 346 patients who were confirmed by an ophthalmologist to have AMD. To compare proportions of maternally and paternally transmitted disease, the data were treated as pair matched and analyzed using the modified chi-squared McNemar test. Probands with either parent deceased before age 60 were excluded. Further analysis was conducted by grouping wet-AMD and dry-AMD patients. Results: Of the 346 surveys conducted, 91 (26.3%) reported at least 1 parent affected with AMD. Probands were 65.9% women and 44.1% men. The mean ± SD age for men was 74.3 ± 6.3 years and for women 72.7 ± 7.7 years. The average age of proband fathers was 75.0 ± 6.9 years and of proband mothers 80.1 ± 6.0 years. Probands with AMD had a higher proportion of affected mothers than fathers with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.00 and a 95% CI of 1.73 to 5.44, P = .0001. For wet AMD, the OR was 4.0 (95% CI 1.46 to 13.6) and for dry AMD, the OR was 2.6 (95% CI 1.35 to 5.4). Conclusions: Our results indicate that individuals with maternal history of AMD may be at a significantly increased risk for developing AMD than if their father had the disease. Owing to limitations in sample size and discrepancies in lifespan between sexes, further studies will be needed to generalize results. The maternal proclivity in our study sample correlates with literature describing a mitochondrial component in the disease process, soliciting further exploration into mitochondrial etiology and larger hereditary studies.

scholarly journals Differential Expression of Kinin Receptors in Human Wet and Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration Retinae

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Rahmeh Othman ◽  
Simon Berbari ◽  
Elvire Vaucher ◽  
Réjean Couture
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Retinal Disease ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Kinin Receptors ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Mediators Of Inflammation ◽  
Dry Amd ◽  
Wet Amd

Kinins are vasoactive peptides and mediators of inflammation, which signal through two G protein-coupled receptors, B1 and B2 receptors (B1R, B2R). Recent pre-clinical findings suggest a primary role for B1R in a rat model of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether kinin receptors are differentially expressed in human wet and dry AMD retinae. The cellular distribution of B1R and B2R was examined by immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization in post-mortem human AMD retinae. The association of B1R with inflammatory proteins (inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA)), fibrosis markers and glial cells was also studied. While B2R mRNA and protein expression was not affected by AMD, a significant increase of B1R mRNA and immunoreactivity was measured in wet AMD retinae when compared to control and dry AMD retinae. B1R was expressed by Müller cells, astrocytes, microglia and endothelial/vascular smooth muscle cells, and colocalized with iNOS and fibrosis markers, but not with VEGFA. In conclusion, the induction and upregulation of the pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic kinin B1R in human wet AMD retinae support previous pre-clinical studies and provide a clinical proof-of-concept that B1R represents an attractive therapeutic target worth exploring in this retinal disease.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document