Scientists at the University of Missouri report that two natural molecules — agmatine and thiamine — are reduced in samples from glaucoma patients and could serve as early biomarkers. In preclinical work, the compounds also showed signs of protecting retinal cells, suggesting a path to earlier detection and potential neuroprotective therapies.
Glaucoma is a major cause of irreversible vision loss in older adults. It damages the optic nerve and the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) that carry visual information to the brain, and current therapies largely aim to lower intraocular pressure rather than directly protect these neurons. (nei.nih.gov)
Researchers at the University of Missouri’s School of Medicine, including Pawan Kumar Singh, report lower levels of two naturally occurring metabolites — agmatine and thiamine — in the aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma compared with healthy controls. Singh said the team’s “long-term goal is to see if doctors could one day do a simple blood test to check for these biomarkers,” in hopes of catching disease earlier so patients can be treated sooner. (sciencedaily.com)
Beyond detection, the group’s preclinical studies indicate agmatine and thiamine may help quell retinal inflammation and protect visual function in laboratory models. In mice, delivery of these molecules — including via experimental topical approaches — reduced inflammatory signaling and preserved RGC function; in cell studies, the compounds helped protect against oxidative-stress–induced cell death. Researchers say such findings raise the possibility of future therapies, potentially as eye drops or supplements, though clinical testing would be required. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
The study, “Metabolomic Profiling of Aqueous Humor From Glaucoma Patients Identifies Metabolites With Anti-Inflammatory and Neuroprotective Potential in Mice,” was published May 1, 2025, in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (volume 66, issue 5, article 28; DOI: 10.1167/iovs.66.5.28). Singh emphasized that more work is needed to translate these findings into clinical applications. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
