Evaluation of Serum Myelin Basic Protein in POAGPatients at a Tertiary Institution in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Glaucoma, a neurodegenerative disorder, causes retinal ganglion cell damage and loss of neurons in thevisual system up to the visual cortex. The loss of myelin sheath leads to the release of myelin sheathcomponents, including the myelin basic protein (MBP), into the bloodstream. While MBP has shownpromise as a biomarker for glaucoma in some Asian populations, data among individuals of Africandescent remain limited. This study evaluated the serum levels of MBP in primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG) patients compared to non-glaucoma controls, with the aim of reporting its usefulness as abiomarker for glaucoma detection in an African population. Methods This cross-sectional study compared serum MBP levels in treatment-naive primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG) patients and non-glaucoma controls. Blood samples were collected from 83 treatment-naivePOAG participants and 83 age and sex matched non-glaucoma participants and analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The mean age of POAG participants was 50.78 ± 17.3 years, with a male predilection. The meanintraocular pressure (IOP) was signifi cantly higher in POAG patients (18.22 ± 6.8 mmHg) than in controls(13.89 ± 2.5 mmHg). Serum MBP levels were signifi cantly elevated in POAG patients (1128.75 ng/L)compared to controls (963.75 ng/L; p < 0.001). There was no signifi cant correlation between MBP levelsand disease severity. MBP levels were higher in high-tension glaucoma and females; however, thedifference was not statistically signifi cant. Conclusion Findings supported the neurodegenerative state of POAG and the use of serum MBP levels as a potentialbiomarker for early POAG detection.