Background: Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the main cause of vision loss in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In experimental CNV, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to the formation of new vessels. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the behavior of EPCs in patients with AMD supports a role for EPCs in human CNV.
Methods: The number of circulating EPCs that are considered pure endothelial precursors and EPCs with monocytic characteristics, and the plasma levels of regulatory cytokines were evaluated in 23 patients with AMD with active CNV and 20 matched controls. In the patients, this profile was re-evaluated after ranibizumab.
Results: When compared with controls, the patients with AMD showed a lower number of both EPC types (P = 0.03) and higher plasma levels (P = 0.03) of stromal cell-derived factor 1. Three monthly injections of ranibizumab returned to control levels the number of circulating EPCs considered pure endothelial precursors and of stromal cell-derived factor 1, but not of monocytic EPCs.
Conclusion: The observations indicate responsiveness of circulating EPCs to the CNV process in AMD. They suggest the hypothesis that increased stromal cell-derived factor 1 production at the CNV site (reflected in higher plasma levels) recruits EPCs from the circulation, and that antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy selectively decreases the recruitment of cells to be incorporated into new vessels.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/IAE.0000000000000147 | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
January 2025
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
This study aimed to investigate the role of myosteatosis, sarcopenia, and perioperative serum biomarkers as independent predictors of major complications within 180 days following radical cystectomy (RC) for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). We retrospectively analyzed of 127 MIBC patients who underwent RC between 2013 and 2023 at a single institution. Preoperative body composition was assessed using CT scans at the L3 vertebral level to measure psoas muscle density (PMD), skeletal muscle density (SMD), axial muscle density (AMD), and muscle indices.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEye (Lond)
January 2025
Department of Ophthalmology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
Purpose: To utilize optical coherence tomography (OCT) and SS-OCT angiography (SS-OCTA) for quantifying morphological changes seen in eyes with recalcitrant neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) transitioned to intravitreal faricimab injections during the manufacturer's recommended induction phase of treatment.
Methods: Fifty-four treatment-recalcitrant patients (60 eyes) were recruited. OCT and SS-OCTA images were obtained at 0 and 3 months.
Purpose: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have risen exponentially in usage and have been shown to exert neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects across multiple organ systems. This study investigates whether GLP-1RAs influence the risk for age-related ocular diseases.
Design: Retrospective cohort study.
J Clin Med
January 2025
H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990096 Lisbon, Portugal.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a global cause of vision loss, with limited therapeutic options highlighting the need for effective biomarkers. This study aimed to characterize plasma DNA methyltransferase expression (, , and ) in AMD patients and explore divergent expression patterns across different stages of AMD. : Thirty-eight AMD patients were prospectively enrolled and stratified by disease severity: eAMD, iAMD, nAMD, and aAMD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Clin Med
January 2025
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive, chronic eye disease with no permanent cure currently available. Symptoms of the disease, including distorted and blurred vision and gradual loss of central vision, significantly aggravate patients' daily functioning. The purpose of this study was to assess the acceptance of the disease among patients diagnosed with neovascular age-related macular degeneration before treatment and after receiving seven intravitreal injections and to determine how it was related to the values of visual parameters.
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