Nitrate therapy may retard glaucomatous optic neuropathy, perhaps through modulation of glutamate receptors

Nitrates have been a major part of the internist’s pharmacopoeia for more than 100 years, predominantly for the relief of anginal symptoms. The effects of nitroglycerin on the eye and specifically on intraocular pressure has been investigated with diverse results. However, nitroglycerin may also ser...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Vision research (Oxford) 1998-05, Vol.38 (10), p.1489-1494
Main Authors: Zurakowski, David, Vorwerk, Christian K, Gorla, Madhu, Kanellopoulos, Anastasios John, Chaturvedi, Neena, Grosskreutz, Cynthia L, Lipton, Stuart A, Dreyer, Evan B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological and medical sciences
Comorbidity
Female
Glaucoma
Glaucoma, Open-Angle - complications
Glutamate
Humans
Intraocular Pressure
Male
Medical sciences
Neuropharmacology
Neuroprotective agent
Nitroglycerin
Nitroglycerin - pharmacology
Optic Nerve Diseases - etiology
Optic Nerve Diseases - prevention & control
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Time Factors
Vision Disorders - etiology
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Summary:Nitrates have been a major part of the internist’s pharmacopoeia for more than 100 years, predominantly for the relief of anginal symptoms. The effects of nitroglycerin on the eye and specifically on intraocular pressure has been investigated with diverse results. However, nitroglycerin may also serve to protect retinal ganglion cells against glutamate mediated toxicity—a form of cell death that may be critical in glaucomatous blindness. Consequently, we therefore sought to evaluate whether nitroglycerin preparations, taken for non-ophthalmic reasons, had an effect on glaucomatous damage.
ISSN:0042-6989
1878-5646
DOI:10.1016/S0042-6989(98)00003-0