Janusz Skrzypecki1,2, J Izdebska3, A Kamińska3, J Badowska3, J Przybek-Skrzypecka3, J Bombuy3, E Samborowska4, J P Szaflik3. 1. Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Department of Experimental Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland. jskrzypecki@wum.edu.pl. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, SPKSO Ophthalmic Hospital, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. jskrzypecki@wum.edu.pl. 3. Department of Ophthalmology, SPKSO Ophthalmic Hospital, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. 4. Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Animal studies suggest that gut bacteria metabolites are involved in regulation of intraocular pressure or development of glaucoma. However, clinical data are lacking. Here, we wanted to compare level of trimethylamine (TMA), an uremic toxin produced by gut bacteria, along with betaine and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a substrate and a product of its metabolism, in the aqueous humor and in plasma of patients with glaucoma and their controls. METHODS: Twenty patients were selected for cataract phacoemulsification, and 20 patients selected for phacotrabeculectomy were enrolled in the study. Patients were matched with controls on systemic diseases and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Blood samples were collected in the preoperative suite, whereas aqueous humor samples were collected as the first step of both procedures. Subsequently, level of betaine, TMA and TMAO was analyzed by means of chromatography. RESULTS: In the aqueous humor, level of TMA, but not betaine or TMAO, was significantly higher in the phacotrabeculectomy group than in the phacoemulsification group. Plasma level of betaine, TMA and TMAO was similar between groups. In both groups, level of betaine and TMA, but not TMAO, was significantly higher in plasma than in the aqueous humor. CONCLUSION: TMA, but not TMAO or betaine level, is increased in the aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma. TMA might play a role in pathogenesis of glaucoma; however, prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.
PURPOSE: Animal studies suggest that gut bacteria metabolites are involved in regulation of intraocular pressure or development of glaucoma. However, clinical data are lacking. Here, we wanted to compare level of trimethylamine (TMA), an uremic toxin produced by gut bacteria, along with betaine and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a substrate and a product of its metabolism, in the aqueous humor and in plasma of patients with glaucoma and their controls. METHODS: Twenty patients were selected for cataract phacoemulsification, and 20 patients selected for phacotrabeculectomy were enrolled in the study. Patients were matched with controls on systemic diseases and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Blood samples were collected in the preoperative suite, whereas aqueous humor samples were collected as the first step of both procedures. Subsequently, level of betaine, TMA and TMAO was analyzed by means of chromatography. RESULTS: In the aqueous humor, level of TMA, but not betaine or TMAO, was significantly higher in the phacotrabeculectomy group than in the phacoemulsification group. Plasma level of betaine, TMA and TMAO was similar between groups. In both groups, level of betaine and TMA, but not TMAO, was significantly higher in plasma than in the aqueous humor. CONCLUSION:TMA, but not TMAO or betaine level, is increased in the aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma. TMA might play a role in pathogenesis of glaucoma; however, prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Authors: Kinga Jaworska; Marek Konop; Tomasz Hutsch; Karol Perlejewski; Marek Radkowski; Marta Grochowska; Anna Bielak-Zmijewska; Grażyna Mosieniak; Ewa Sikora; Marcin Ufnal Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2020-06-18 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: Judith L Flanagan; Peter A Simmons; Joseph Vehige; Mark Dp Willcox; Qian Garrett Journal: Nutr Metab (Lond) Date: 2010-04-16 Impact factor: 4.169