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Secondary glaucoma: Toward interventions based on molecular underpinnings.

WIREs mechanisms of disease
January 1, 2024
Anna Mueller et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to explore melatonin's potential as a melanogenesis suppressor, antioxidant, and hypotensive agent for treating pigmentary and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma.

Results Summary

Melatonin was identified as a potent melanogenesis suppressor, antioxidant, and hypotensive agent, suggesting its therapeutic value for pigmentary glaucoma and adjunct benefits for pseudoexfoliative glaucoma.

Population

Patients with pigmentary or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (specific demographics not detailed).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Targeting melanogenesis
decrease
the risk of pigmentary glaucoma
-
-
can likely decrease
#1
specific prostanoid agonists and fenofibrates
decrease
melanogenesis
-
-
may reduce
#2
melatonin
decrease
melanogenesis
-
-
is a potent melanogenesis suppressor
#3
melatonin
decrease
oxidative stress
-
-
is a potent ... antioxidant
#4
melatonin
decrease
blood pressure / ocular pressure
-
-
is a potent ... hypotensive agent
#5
melatonin
neutral
pseudoexfoliative glaucoma
-
-
may offer adjunct therapeutic benefits
#6
Abstract

Glaucoma is a heterogeneous group of progressive diseases that leads to irreversible blindness. Secondary glaucoma refers to glaucoma caused by a known underlying condition. Pseudoexfoliation and pigment dispersion syndromes are common causes of secondary glaucoma. Their respective deposits may obstruct the trabecular meshwork, leading to aqueous humor outflow resistance, ocular hypertension, and optic neuropathy. There are no disease-specific interventions available for either. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is characterized by fibrillar deposits (pseudoexfoliative material) on anterior segment structures. Over a decade of multiomics analyses taken together with the current knowledge on pseudoexfoliative glaucoma warrant a re-think of mechanistic possibilities. We propose that the presence of nucleation centers (e.g., vitamin D binding protein), crosslinking enzymes (e.g., transglutaminase 2), aberrant extracellular matrix, flawed endocytosis, and abnormal aqueous-blood barrier contribute to the formation of proteolytically resistant pseudoexfoliative material. Pigment dispersion syndrome is characterized by abnormal iridolenticular contact that disrupts iris pigment epithelium and liberates melanin granules. Iris melanogenesis is aberrant in this condition. Cytotoxic melanogenesis intermediates leak out of melanosomes and cause iris melanocyte and pigment epithelium cell death. Targeting melanogenesis can likely decrease the risk of pigmentary glaucoma. Skin and melanoma research provides insights into potential therapeutics. We propose that specific prostanoid agonists and fenofibrates may reduce melanogenesis by inhibiting cholesterol internalization and de novo synthesis. Additionally, melatonin is a potent melanogenesis suppressor, antioxidant, and hypotensive agent, rendering it a valuable agent for pigmentary glaucoma. In pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, where environmental insults drive pseudoexfoliative material formation, melatonin's antioxidant and hypotensive properties may offer adjunct therapeutic benefits. This article is categorized under: Neurological Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansAntioxidantsMelatoninIntraocular PressureGlaucomaGlaucoma, Open-Angle
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations5
Citations/Year5.0
Relative Citation Ratio2.43
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.87
Normalized Score0.66
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