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№1' 2013
OPHTHALMOLOGYInternational Medical Journal, Vol. 19., Iss. 1, 2013, P. 53−59.
The role of metabolic link of nitrogen oxide in the mechanism of development of glaucoma optic neuropathy and neuroprotection prospects in glaucoma: contemporary aspects
A.A. Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
Abstract. Recently, major progress has been made in the pathophysiology, clinical approach and treatment of primary glaucoma. It has been established that to coordinate inter− and intracellular activity, living organisms have developed complex chemical signaling systems. Intracellular signals are generally mediated by chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters. In the context of biochemical communication nitric oxide (NO) identified and act primarily as neurotransmitter. This review article provides overview of some biochemical aspects of NO in the eye. In this regard, NO appears to play a major role in the pathogenesis of open angle glaucoma. Nitric oxide as mediator that play a key role in the regulation of several ocular functions which are of major importance in glaucoma, particularly regulation of the intraocular pressure, control of ocular blood flow, and retinal ganglion cell death by apoptosis. This offers new perspectives in the understanding of the pathogenesis of glaucoma and, as a consequence, opens new potential therapeutic approaches to the disease that is still a leading cause of blindness.
Key words: nitrous oxide, NO−synthases, glaucoma, optic neuropathy, apoptosis, neuroprotection.