Relation of Endothelin-1 with ophthalmologic blinding diseases

Abstract

Endothelin-1(ET-1)is a vasoactive peptide containing 21 amino acids.It is currently considered as the most powerful vasoconstrictor. It not only plays a strong role in the contraction of blood vessels, but also can promote the inflammation. Besides its effects for cardiovascular, urinary, respiratory, digestion, nervous, reproduction, endocrine system, it also plays a very important role in ophthalmologic blinding diseases. For example, ET-1 in eye mainly distributed in the choroid and it has a relation with cataract development, increased intraocular pressure of glaucoma and optic nerve damage. ET- 1 has certain effect on the maintenance of micro vascular homeostasis in diabetic retinopathy(DR)and its diagnosis; in non-arteritis anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, the level of ET-1 concentration is consistent with the severity of the lesion. On condition judgment for diseases and prognosis evaluation, it has certain clinical significance. With the study of the mechanism of ET-1 in these diseases, the prevention and treatment of ophthalmologic diseases will gain great benefit in the future.

Keywords

• Endothelin-1
• cataract
• glaucoma
• diabetic retinopathy
• non-arteritis anterior ischemic optic neuropathy