Aqueous humor nitric oxide in patients with central retinal vein occlusion

Purpose: It has been suggested that nitric oxide (NO) has a role in ischemic retinopathies. Since retinal ischemia may develop in retinal vein occlusion, we investigated the presence of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients with CRVO were included in this study. Aqueous humor specimens were obtained within 21 days of diagnosis. Samples of aqueous humor were also collected from 20 control patients undergoing cataract surgery. For each sample after reduction of nitrate to nitrite with vanadium chloride (VCl3), we used spectrophotometric method for simultaneous detection of nitrate and nitrite (NOx). Results: Mean level of aqueous humor NO in CRVO and control group was 94.1 +/- 23.2 mu mol/l and 55.6 +/- 11.0 mu mol/l, respectively. The difference between two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Our results may support involvement of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of CRVO. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.