Ascorbic acid concentration is reduced in the secondary aqueous humour of glaucomatous patients

  1. Mauro T Leite MD1,
  2. Tiago S Prata MD1,3,*,
  3. Clarissa Z Kera BA2,
  4. Denise V Miranda BA2,
  5. Silvia B De Moraes Barros PhD2,
  6. Luiz AS Melo Jr MD1

Article first published online: 6 APR 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2009.02046.x

Issue

Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology

Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology

Volume 37, Issue 4, pages 402–406, May/June 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Leite, M. T., Prata, T. S., Kera, C. Z., Miranda, D. V., De Moraes Barros, S. B. and Melo, L. A. (2009), Ascorbic acid concentration is reduced in the secondary aqueous humour of glaucomatous patients. Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, 37: 402–406. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2009.02046.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo,

  2. 2

    Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; and

  3. 3

    Einhorn Clinical Research Center, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, New York, USA

*Dr Tiago S Prata, Glaucoma Service, Department of Ophthalmology, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, 310 East 14th Street, New York, NY 10003, USA. Email: tiagoprata@ig.com.br

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 30 JUN 2009
  2. Article first published online: 6 APR 2009
  3. Received 13 January 2009; accepted 12 March 2009.

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (97K)

Keywords:

  • ascorbic acid;
  • glaucoma;
  • secondary aqueous humour

Abstract

Background:  We aimed to evaluate the ascorbic acid concentration in secondary aqueous humour (AH) from glaucomatous patients and to compare it with primary AH from primary open-angle glaucoma patients and non-glaucomatous patients.

Methods:  Primary AH samples were prospectively obtained from clinically uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma patients and senile cataract patients (controls) prior to trabeculectomy and cataract surgery. Secondary AH samples were obtained from eyes with previous intraocular surgery, prior to trabeculectomy or cataract surgery. AH (0.1 mL) was aspirated by inserting a 26-gauge needle into the anterior chamber just before surgery and then immediately stored at −80°C. The ascorbic acid concentration was determined in a masked fashion by high-pressure liquid chromatography.

Results:  A total of 18 patients with senile cataract, 16 glaucomatous patients with primary AH (no previous intraocular surgery) and 11 glaucomatous patients with secondary AH (previous intraocular surgery) were included. There was no difference in mean age between groups (P = 0.15). The mean ± standard deviation concentration of ascorbic acid in the secondary AH from glaucomatous patients (504 ± 213 µmol/L [95% confidence interval {CI}, 383–624]) was significantly lower than the concentration of ascorbic acid found in the primary aqueous of primary open-angle glaucoma (919 ± 427 µmol/L [95% CI, 709–1128]) and control patients (1049 ± 433 µmol/L [95% CI, 848–1249]; P < 0.01, Kruskal-Wallis test).

Conclusions:  The ascorbic acid concentration in secondary AH of glaucomatous patients was approximately twofold lower in comparison with primary AH of glaucomatous and cataract patients. The implications of a reduced concentration of ascorbic acid in the secondary AH deserve further investigation.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (97K)