Glaucoma, apoptosis and sildenafil: comprehension of a disease without solution and a possible approach of treatment
Zanoni, Diogo SousaSilva, Germana Alegro daLaus, José LuisAmorim, Renée Laufer
As millions of glaucoma patients lose sight, it has become accepted that there is a need to develop neuroprotective therapies that can be used, in conjunction with hypotensive drugs, to prevent retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. Recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of glaucoma is a key factor in the pathogenesis of glaucomatous neuropathy. Based on findings in similar diseases, hypothesize that improving retinal and optic nerve blood flow can result in significant RGC protection and prevent vision loss in glaucoma. Sildenafil, a vasodilative drug that inhibits PDE5, thereby increasing cGMP levels and prolonging NO effects, has been shown to improve survival in several injury. This short review briefly summarizes some of the most important advances that have taken in the understand about this disease and a possible treatment.(AU)
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