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Advanced glycation end products in human optic nerve head
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. amanos-tky@umin.ac.jp
The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|January 3, 2001
Summary
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulate in the optic nerve head of diabetic patients, particularly around vessels and in the cribriform plates. This AGEs accumulation may contribute to diabetic optic neuropathy.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Diabetic Complications
- Histopathology
Background:
- Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are implicated in diabetic complications.
- The presence and localization of AGEs in the human optic nerve head (ONH) are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the localization of AGEs, specifically pyrraline, within the human optic nerve head.
Main Methods:
- Optic nerve samples were obtained from 13 elderly individuals (7 diabetic, 6 non-diabetic) post-necropsy.
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect and localize pyrraline in the optic nerve head tissues.
Main Results:
- Diabetic subjects showed moderate to intense pyrraline immunoreactivity in the sclera, pia mater, cribriform plates, optic nerve connective tissues, and around associated vessels.
- Pyrraline was also detected around retinal vessels in diabetic individuals.
- Non-diabetic subjects exhibited only slight or no pyrraline immunoreactivity in the cribriform plates and around optic nerve vessels.
Conclusions:
- AGEs accumulate significantly in the optic nerve head of diabetic patients, especially in the cribriform plates and perivascular areas.
- This localized accumulation of AGEs may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic optic neuropathy.