Serum Apelin and Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Levels in Patients with Exfoliation Syndrome or Exfoliative Glaucoma.

PRéCIS:: Apelin and ADMA concentrations, affecting the NO pathway, were different in the patient group compared to the control subjects. These two molecules may have potential effects in vascular pathologies and their possible role in predisposition to vascular comorbidities in XFS/XFG.To evaluate apelin and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in serum samples from patients with exfoliation syndrome (XFS), or exfoliative glaucoma (XFG) compared with healthy control subjects.Serum ADMA and apelin concentrations were evaluated from 36 and 32 XFS patients; 27 and 24 XFG patients and 34 and 30 healthy controls, respectively. Subjects without systemic disease (including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, obesity) were included in the study and body mass index was calculated in all participants. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high-performance liquid chromatography were employed to determine serum apelin and ADMA concentrations. Independent sample t-test, chi-square test, analysis of variance test and Pearson test were used for statistical analysis.Mean serum apelin levels of XFG, XFS and control group were 1063,3±373,4, 1196,7±433,7 and 1343,3±405,1▒ng/mL, respectively. Patients with XFG demonstrated significantly lower level of apelin versus controls (P=0.034). Mean serum ADMA concentration was significantly greater in XFS subjects (2,05±0,98▒µmol/L) compared with normal controls (1,57±0,58▒µmol/L) (P=0.042). No association was detected between ADMA and apelin concentrations and age, sex and body mass index for both XFS and XFG groups.Significant alterations in serum levels of apelin and ADMA may suggest potential effects in vascular pathologies and a possible role in predisposition to vascular comorbidities in XFS/XFG.