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Serum miR-26a level is decreased in cataract patients with glaucoma and related to visual quality
Xian-Lin Ke1, Ji-Guang Shi2, Ling-Zhi Fan1
1Specialized Department of Glaucoma and Cataract, Enshi Huiyi Ophthalmology Hospital, Enshi, China.
Clinical Relevance:
microRNAs have been found to be involved in the progression of a variety of ocular diseases.
Background:
Cataract and glaucoma often coexist, and combined surgery is a common treatment. The aim of this study is to analyse the correlation between miR-26a and visual quality in cataract patients with glaucoma.
Methods:
Seventy patients with cataract and glaucoma and 70 healthy volunteers were enrolled and received phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy. The patients were divided into low and high miR-26a expression groups according to miR-26a mean expression. The objective scattering index, strehl ratio, and modulated transfer function cut-off were analysed by optical quality analysis system II. The changes of miR-26a, objective scattering index, strehl ratio, modulated transfer function cut-off, and the correlation between the indicators were analysed. The downstream genes of miR-26a were analysed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes functional enrichment.
Results:
There were significant differences between patients and controls in lipid biomarker levels and visual indicators. miR-26a was decreased in the patient group. Strehl ratio and modulated transfer function cut-off in the miR-26a low-expression group were lower than in high-expression group, while mean defect of the visual field and objective scattering index were higher than in high-expression group. The miR-26a expression was negatively correlated with the severity of disease and objective scattering index, and positively correlated with strehl ratio and modulated transfer function cut-off. After surgery, miR-26a, strehl ratio, and modulated transfer function cut-off were increased, and objective scattering index was decreased. The downstream genes of miR-26a were related to several biological processes and signalling pathways.
Conclusion:
In cataract patients with glaucoma, miR-26a expression was lower than matched controls and increased following combined cataract removal and trabeculectomy.
Insights
microRNA-26a (miR-26a) levels are lower in patients with coexisting cataract and glaucoma. Post-surgery, miR-26a increases, correlating with improved visual quality indicators.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cataract and glaucoma frequently coexist, necessitating combined surgical interventions.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in ocular disease progression.
- The specific role of miR-26a in visual quality for patients with coexisting cataract and glaucoma requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the correlation between miR-26a expression and visual quality in patients with coexisting cataract and glaucoma.
- To evaluate changes in miR-26a levels and visual parameters after combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy.
Main Methods:
- Enrolled 70 patients with cataract and glaucoma and 70 healthy controls.
- Performed combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy on patients.
- Assessed visual quality using objective scattering index, Strehl ratio, and modulated transfer function cut-off.
- Analyzed miR-26a expression levels and correlated them with clinical and visual parameters.
- Utilized Gene Ontology and KEGG for downstream gene analysis.
Main Results:
- miR-26a expression was significantly decreased in patients with cataract and glaucoma compared to controls.
- Lower miR-26a expression correlated with poorer visual quality indicators (higher objective scattering index, lower Strehl ratio, and lower modulated transfer function cut-off).
- Post-surgery, miR-26a levels, Strehl ratio, and modulated transfer function cut-off increased, while the objective scattering index decreased.
Conclusions:
- miR-26a expression is reduced in patients with coexisting cataract and glaucoma.
- miR-26a levels increase after combined cataract removal and glaucoma surgery.
- miR-26a expression is associated with visual quality in this patient population.
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