Increased Aqueous Humor Symmetric Dimethylarginine Level in Patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and L-arginine (L-Arg) levels both in plasma and aqueous humor of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and matched controls.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: 25 primary open angle glaucoma patients and 42 control cases with senile cataract were included in the study. Plasma and aqueous humor ADMA, SDMA and L-Arg levels of the participants were measured by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

RESULTS: A significant increase in aqueous humor SDMA level was detected in POAG patients compared with controls (p = 0.0115). No significant difference was detected in plasma and aqueous humor ADMA, L-Arg levels.

CONCLUSION: The aqueous humor levels of SDMA are found to be associated with POAG. The result of this current study supports the role of nitric oxide pathway in glaucoma.