Ophthalmology, Bath Street, London, ECl V 9EL; Genetix Ltd.,. 63-69 Somerford Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 3 Q A. Age-related macular degeneration ...
A I62 Biochemical Society Transactions (2000) Volume 28, Part 5
475 Development of a Model for Age-related Macular
477 Flationship between nitric oxide production and arachidon-
Degeneration T. A .Bailey, S.K.Stephens, S. Amin, R.A. Alexander, P. J. Luthert, N.H. V. Chong Dept. of Pathology, University College London, Institute of Ophthalmology, Bath Street, London, ECl V 9EL; Genetix Ltd., 63-69 Somerford Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 3 Q A
ic acid metabolism in platelet membranes of coronary artery disease patients with and without diabetes.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the western world, and its prevalence is increasing. The macula is the essential part of the retina for detailed form vision and reading. It is supported by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the choroid. The pathogenesis of AMD remains poorly understood, but it is believed to be in part due to a disruption of protein degradtion by the matrix metalloproteinases. As protein deposits between the RPE and the choroid increase the RPE is deprived of nutrients. This is followed by either RPE cell death or angiogenesis, which ultimately leads to retinal involvement and blindness. To aid in the understanding of AMD, we have assessed the changes in expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors with age in normal donor eyes. We have also been developing an in vitro model for AMD by culturing RPE cells under a variety of conditions to try to mimic the siutuation in the ageing eye. Changes in expression of genes, including MMPs and their inhibitors, have been studied by several methods including competitive RT-PCR and by cDNA microarray analysis, and the results compared.
P.Tretjakovsl, U.Kalnins2, I.Dabinal, I.Dinn2, A.Erglis2, I.Kumsars2, A.Jurkal, VPiragsl.
Latvian Institute of Experimental and Clinical Medicine; 2Latvian Institute of Cardiology, 0.Vaciesa 4, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia. Aim: to evaluate the level of nitrite (NO27 and nitrate (NOj-) ions, and the incorporation of r3H]arachidonic acid (AA) into phospholipids in the platelet membranes of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with and without diabetes (NIDDM). Subjects: 18 CAD patients (A), 16 CAD patients with NIDDM (D), and 20 healthy controls (C) were examined. All subjects were without dyslipidaemia, peripheral vascular disease and hypertension. The groups were matched for age, sex and body mass index. Methods: The nitric oxide end products (NOx): N 0 2 - plus NO3' ions in platelet membranes were measured by anion-exchange chromatography. The turnover of phospholipids was evaluated by incorporation of [3H]AA into platelet membrane phospholipids. Results: Patients with NIDDM show a significant increase (mean5SD; Mann-Whitney U test) of r3H]AA incorporation into platelet phospholipids in comparison to patients without diabetes (D 513121442 vs A 358421233 dpm/mg, p
