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

Purpose Glaucoma, a neurodegenerative disorder, causes retinal ganglion cell damage and loss of neurons in the visual system up to the visual cortex. The loss of myelin sheath leads to the release of myelin sheath components, including the myelin basic protein (MBP), into the bloodstream. While MBP has shown promise as a biomarker for glaucoma in some Asian populations, data among individuals of African descent 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 a biomarker 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-naive POAG 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 mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was significantly higher in POAG patients (18.22 ± 6.8 mmHg) than in controls (13.89 ± 2.5 mmHg). Serum MBP levels were significantly elevated in POAG patients (1128.75 ng/L) compared to controls (963.75 ng/L; p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between MBP levels and disease severity. MBP levels were higher in high-tension glaucoma and females; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion Findings supported the neurodegenerative state of POAG and the use of serum MBP levels as a potential biomarker for early POAG detection.