Serum leptin concentrations are decreased and correlated with disease severity in age-related macular degeneration: a preliminary study

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EVEREKLİOĞLU C., Doganay S., Er H., ÇEKMEN M. B., Ozerol E., OTLU B.

EYE, vol.17, no.3, pp.350-355, 2003 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 17 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2003
  • Doi Number: 10.1038/sj.eye.6700345
  • Journal Name: EYE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.350-355
  • Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Background Age-related maculopathy (ARM) or degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in developed countries. Despite several studies on the morphology of ARMD, the aetiology is unknown and factor(s) contributing to the pathogenesis remain to be characterised. More recent studies have demonstrated that cholesterol esters and lipids are present within Bruch's membrane deposits and drusen, and dietary fat intake is associated with ARMD. The product of Ob gene, leptin, is a recently discovered peptide participating in human metabolism. There is a direct relationship between serum leptin and diet, and lipoprotein metabolism, but the role of leptin in the course of ARMD has not previously been investigated.