Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) promoter (-107T/C) and coding region (192Q/R and 55L/M) genetic variations in pseudoexfoliation syndrome and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma risk

Purpose Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is characterized by the accumulation of microscopic extracellular material in the anterior chamber of the eye and can lead to the development of pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEG) in some patients. The pathogenesis of PEX is not fully understood, and there are no objective biomarkers for its early diagnosis. Recent research has indicated that oxidative stress and inflammation might play a role in the pathophysiology of the production of pseudoexfoliation material. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to analyze the possible association between three genetic variants of paraoxonase 1 (PON1), a well-recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory enzyme, and PEX/PEG. Methods The study population consisted of patients with PEX (n = 150), patients with PEG (n = 150), and control subjects (n = 150). PON1 -107T/C, 192Q/R, and 55L/M genotypes were determined using PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The correlation between these genetic alterations and clinical visual characteristics was also investigated. Results The minor allele frequencies and genotype distributions of PON1 did not differ significantly between the PEG, PEX, and control groups. Moreover, PON1 genotypes did not significantly influence visual clinical parameters in stratification analysis. On the other hand, in correlation analysis, pattern standard deviation was significantly correlated with the -107T/C genotypes in PEX group. In addition, intraocular pressure was correlated with the 55L/M genotypes and mean deviation was correlated with the -107T/C genotypes in the control group. Furthermore, intraocular pressure was significantly inversely correlated with sex (r = - 0.116, P = 0.011) in the overall study group. Logistic regression analysis showed that having a PON1 -107TC or CC genotype is significantly associated with PEX (OR = 1.909, P = 0.020). Conclusions This study, for the first time, analyzed the relationship between PON1 genetic variants, clinical visual parameters, and PEX/PEG. The results indicated a possible role for the PON1 promoter variant in PEX.