Klotho Levels are Decreased and Associated with Enhanced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in the Aqueous Humor in Patients with Exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To evaluate anti-aging protein klotho levels in the aqueous humor and its association with oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

Levels of klotho, oxidative, and antioxidative stress markers, and proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers in the aqueous humor from 28 patients with exudative AMD and 35 age-matched controls were measured.

Results

Patients with AMD had lower levels of klotho, which were negatively correlated with macular lesion size. Patients with AMD also exhibited increased levels of 8-hydroxy-2ʹ-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and interleukin (IL)-6 but not tumor necrosis factor‑α, and decreased levels of total antioxidant status (TAS) and IL-10. Moreover, levels of klotho were negatively correlated with levels of 8-OHdG and IL-6, but positively correlated with levels of TSA and IL-10.

Conclusion

Klotho levels in the aqueous humor are decreased and associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with exudative AMD.

KEYWORDS:

• Age-related macular degeneration
• klotho
• oxidative stress
• inflammation

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Science Foundation of Tianjin Eye Hospital (No. YKYB1909).