• Users Online: 46401
  • Home
  • Print this page
  • Email this page

   Table of Contents      
BRIEF COMMUNICATION
Year : 2013  |  Volume : 61  |  Issue : 12  |  Page : 770-771

Corneal arcus and xanthomas in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: First report from China


1 Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
2 The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing, China

Date of Submission12-Mar-2012
Date of Acceptance29-Dec-2012
Date of Web Publication9-Jan-2014

Correspondence Address:
Jun Wang
Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, 2nd Anzhen Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029
China
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: Supported by National Natural Science Foundation (No. 81170793), China Beijing Natural Science Foundation (No. 7092016), Beijing, China Program 215 of Beijing Municipal Health Bureau (No. 2009.3.345), Beijing, China., Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0301-4738.118456

Rights and Permissions
  Abstract 

We report the case of a 12-year-old male who developed corneal arcus and multiple skin lesions with a 10-year history of xanthomas. The lesions appeared over his fingers, hands, elbows, knees, buttocks and feet. Laboratory studies showed a total serum cholesterol level of 752.1 mg/dL; a triglyceride level of 96.6 mg/dL; a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of 661.3 mg/dL. Findings were consistent with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. To our knowledge, this is the first such case to be reported from China.

Keywords: Familial hypercholesterolemia, corneal arcus, xanthomas


How to cite this article:
Meng X, Lin J, Gao X, Guo J, Xin C, Wang J. Corneal arcus and xanthomas in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: First report from China. Indian J Ophthalmol 2013;61:770-1

How to cite this URL:
Meng X, Lin J, Gao X, Guo J, Xin C, Wang J. Corneal arcus and xanthomas in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: First report from China. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2013 [cited 2024 Mar 28];61:770-1. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2013/61/12/770/118456

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic disorder caused by mutations within the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene, is characterized by an increase in plasma levels of LDL cholesterol. Homozygous FH is a rare variant, occurring with a frequency of 1:1,000,000. [1] We present a case of homozygote manifesting with corneal arcus and multiple xanthomas, which is the first reported case from China.


  Case Report Top


A 12-year-old male, whose father was a LDL receptor (LDL-R) mutation carrier, developed corneal arcus and multiple skin lesions with a 10-year history of xanthomas. Both his parents had elevated levels of total serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. His elder brother died of myocardial infarction secondary to FH at the age of 7 years. Physical examination showed the presence of subcutaneous yellow nodules at the knuckles of his fingers [Figure 1]a, elbows [Figure 1]b, knees [Figure 1]c, and Achilles tendons [Figure 1]d. They were up to 10 cm in size and partly tended to coalesce. Some other yellow nodules of varying sizes under the skin erupted over the buttocks [Figure 1]e. This patient had no problems with his vision. Intraocular pressures were unremarkable. The ocular exam revealed a partial circumferential white-grey deposit corresponding to corneal arcus [Figure 2]a and b. Fundus examination was normal. B-scan revealed extensive plaques and enhanced intima-media thickness of common carotid arterial wall. Laboratory studies disclosed the following values: Total serum cholesterol, 752.1 mg/dL (normal range, 110-220 mg/dL); triglyceride, 96.6 mg/dL (normal range, 50-150 mg/dL); LDL cholesterol, 661.3 mg/dL (normal range, 80-140 mg/dL). Findings were consistent with type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia. As is shown in the figure [Figure 3], there are cytosine (C)>thymine (T) heterozygous double peaks at 97 in the second exon of LDL-R gene, which is in GenBank as a known mutation of NM_001195798.1:c. 97C>T. This mutation resulted in the change from C to T 33 rd codon in E2 of LDL-R gene and, thus, glutamine became the stop codon in the corresponding amino acid (NP_001182732.1:p.Gln33X). The result of genealogical analysis indicated that his father had a similar gene mutation. A diagnosis of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia was made.
Figure 1: Findings at presentation (a) Xanthomas over the fingers (b) Xanthomas over both elbows(c) Xanthomas over both knees tending to coalesce (d) Xanthomas over the Achilles tendons (e) Xanthomas of varying sizes under the skin erupted over the buttocks

Click here to view
Figure 2: Findings at presentation. The ocular exam showed a partial circumferential (from 2 O'clock to 4 O'clock) white-grey deposit corresponding to corneal arcus. (a) Right eye The ocular exam showed a partial circumferential (from 2 O'clock to 4 O'clock) white-grey deposit corresponding to corneal arcus. (b) Left eye

Click here to view
Figure 3: LDL-R nucleotide sequences. There are C > T heterozygous double peaks at 97 in the second exon of LDL-R gene

Click here to view


Homozygous FH is clinically characterized by cutaneous xanthomas, enlarged Achilles tendons, atherosclerosis, and corneal arcus, usually developing from early childhood. [2]

Homozygotic patients usually manifest corneal arcus before the age of 10 years. Although no significant correlations were obtained between corneal arcus and patterns of hyperlipoproteinaemia in previous observations, [3] a recent study of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia series indicated that patients with corneal arcus had higher cholesterol-year score and was correlated with calcific atherosclerosis. [4] The exact biochemical mechanisms of corneal arcus remain controversial. One explanation is the proximity to limbal vasculature that may increase endothelial permeability to lipids via active scavenging mechanisms. Another is the temperature gradient that can alter lipid deposition as the infiltrating particles pass from limbal blood vessel into the cornea. Finally, the collagen fiber gradient might filter the lipid-rich particles. [5]

Early combination therapy with LDL apheresis, statins, and cholesterol absorption inhibitors are advised in children with homozygous FH at the highest risk. [6]

 
  References Top

1.
Rader DJ, Cohen J, Hobbs HH. Monogenic hypercholesterolemia: New insights in pathogenesis and treatment. J Clin Invest 2003;111:1795-803.  Back to cited text no. 1
[PUBMED]    
2.
Goldstein JL, Kita T, Brown MS. Defective lipoprotein receptors and atherosclerosis. Lessons from an animal counterpart of familial hypercholesterolemia. N Engl J Med 1983;309:288-96.  Back to cited text no. 2
[PUBMED]    
3.
Winder AF. Relationship between corneal arcus and hyperlipidaemia is clarified by studies in familial hypercholesterolaemia. Br J Ophthalmol 1983;67:789-94.  Back to cited text no. 3
[PUBMED]    
4.
Zech LA Jr, Hoeg JM. Correlating corneal arcus with atherosclerosis in familial hypercholesterolemia. Lipids Health Dis 2008;10:7:7.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.
Crispin S. Ocular lipid deposition and hyperlipoproteinaemia. Prog Retin Eye Res 2002;21:169-224.  Back to cited text no. 5
[PUBMED]    
6.
Kavey RE, Allada V, Daniels SR, Hayman LL, McCrindle BW, Newburger JW, et al. Cardiovascular risk reduction in high-risk pediatric patients: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association Expert Panel on Population and Prevention Science; the Councils on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, Epidemiology and Prevention, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism, High Blood Pressure Research, Cardiovascular Nursing, and the Kidney in Heart Disease; and the Interdisciplinary Working Group on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research: Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Circulation 2006;114:2710-38.  Back to cited text no. 6
[PUBMED]    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]



 

Top
 
 
  Search
 
    Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
    Access Statistics
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  

 
  In this article
Abstract
Case Report
References
Article Figures

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed3877    
    Printed78    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded211    
    Comments [Add]    

Recommend this journal