[Importance of the nuclear factor kappaB for the primary open angle glaucoma--a hypothesis].

The primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is an optic neuropathy which is influenced by a number of different risk factors. Some of them can induce the transcriptional factor NF-kappaB, a nuclear protein which binds to specific areas of the DNA to stimulate different genes. NF-kappaB can be activated by increased intraocular pressure, increased age, vascular diseases and by oxidative stress. In the case of POAG NF-kappaB might be overstimulated with the induction of uncontrolled biochemical reactions. Treatment strategies for reducing NF-kappaB are to reduce intraocular pressure as well as therapies with statins, omega-3-fatty acids and alpha-lipoic acid. This model is a hypothesis and is intended to provide a basis for further discussions and basic research. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart, New York.