Dr. Yazdani’s research journey began in toxicology, where he studied the mechanisms by which hazardous substances induce oxidative stress and developed in vitro (cell culture) models to examine these effects. His focus later shifted to exploring the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of dry eye disease and potential treatments for corneal epithelial (limbal) stem cell deficiency. Currently, as a core member of the Metabolomics & Metabolic Molecular Biology group, he investigates the impact of metabolic changes on health and disease, with the goal of understanding disease mechanisms through mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. Additionally, he has maintained a strong interest in the biological role and effects of oxygen.
EDUCATION
2009-2014: PhD in Integrative Biology - Toxicology, University of Oslo, Norway
Committee: Ketil Hylland , Ragnhild Paulsen & Tor Gjøen
Collaborator: Gunnar Brunborg at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Trial lecture: Mechanisms for endocrine disruption
Thesis: In vitro, in ovo and in vivo models for cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, neurotoxicity and DNA damage ( Link )
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
41
Scopus Publications
1330
Scholar Citations
20
Scholar h-index
28
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Dry eye disease symptoms and associated risk factors in a Norwegian clinical cohort Mazyar Yazdani, Fredrik A. Fineide, Reza A. Badian, Ayyad Zartasht Khan, Helge Rootwelt, et al. Acta Ophthalmologica, 2026 Background The relationship between dry eye disease (DED) symptoms and different demographic, clinical and lifestyle factors remains poorly understood. Norway's cold climate and dry indoor air may accelerate tear evaporation, contributing to a very high meibomian gland dysfunction prevalence, as found in multiple studies. This suggests that environmental factors and age converge to drive evaporative dry eye as a near‐universal finding in the Norwegian population. This study aimed to assess demographic, clinical and lifestyle correlates of DED symptoms, with a focus on sex‐related differences and diurnal variation. Methods Between September 2021 and December 2023, 1044 individuals (303 males, 741 females) with symptoms of DED were enrolled at the Norwegian Dry Eye Clinic. All participants completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and the Dry Eye Questionnaire‐5 (DEQ‐5) questionnaires, as well as an in‐house, un‐validated questionnaire. Clinical examinations and history‐taking were conducted in a standardized manner by two experts. Associations between questionnaire scores and variables were analysed using Chi‐squared tests, Kruskal–Wallis tests, Spearman correlations and logistic regression. Results Symptomatic DED above clinical cut‐off levels was more prevalent in females than in males. Symptom severity was lowest in the late morning, and significant differences in both OSDI and DEQ5 scores were observed between individuals with and without reported omega‐3 supplementation (with slightly higher scores in those taking omega‐3). Allergies were associated with time‐of‐day symptom severity. Multivariable logistic regression revealed female sex, age below 65, not wearing contact lenses and refractive lens exchange surgery as significant risk factors for reporting more severe symptoms among the individuals in the database. Conclusions Severity of dry eye symptoms in this symptomatic, clinic‐based population was significantly associated with several demographic and clinical factors. Incorporating standardized timing of assessments may enhance diagnostic accuracy in both research and clinical settings for DED.
Iron Metabolism, Calcium, Magnesium and Trace Elements: A Review Tara Rolić, Mazyar Yazdani, Sanja Mandić, Sonia Distante Biological Trace Element Research, 2025 Iron (Fe) is fundamental to life on earth. In the human body, it is both essential and harmful if above threshold. A similar balance applies to other elements: calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and trace elements including copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and nickel (Ni). These elements share some proteins involved in the absorption and transport of Fe. Cu and Cd can inhibit Fe absorption, while excess of Fe may antagonize Cu metabolism and reduce ceruloplasmin (Cp). Excessive Fe can hinder Zn absorption and transferrin (Trf) can bind to both Zn and Ni. Ca is able to inhibit the divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) in a dose-dependent manner to reduce Fe absorption and low Mg concentrations can exacerbate Fe deficiency. Pb competitively inhibits Fe distribution and elevated Cd absorption reduces Fe uptake. Exposure to Hg is associated with higher ferritin concentrations and Ni alters intracellular Fe metabolism. Fe removal by phlebotomy in hemochromatosis patients has shown to increase the levels of Cd and Pb and alter the concentrations of trace elements in some types of anemia. Yet, the effects of chronic exposure of most trace elements remain poorly understood.
Serum hepcidin concentration is lower in advanced stages of sporadic colorectal cancer Tara Rolić, Sanja Mandić, Mazyar Yazdani, Marina Ferenac Kiš, Sonia Distante, et al. Biochemia Medica, 2025 Introduction: Hepcidin (Hep), a key regulatory hormone of iron (Fe) homeostasis, governs its absorption and storage, and is influenced by inf lammation and Fe status. This study investigated serum Hep concentrations and their associations with Fe markers and inflammation in patients with sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC). Materials and methods: We compared serum concentrations of Hep, Fe, unsaturated and total iron binding capacity, transferrin, transferrin saturation, ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor markers in 82 CRC patients and 58 controls. Statistically significant differences were tested using the Mann-Whitney U test and Student’s t test. Additionally, Hep were analyzed according to tumor stage. Colorectal cancer was confirmed histopathologically after colonoscopy with biopsy (TNM staging). Results: Colorectal cancer patients exhibited significantly lower Hep concentrations than controls (8.1 vs. 19.7 ng/mL, P = 0.020). Ferritin was also lower in CRC (109 vs. 250 µg/L, P = 0.002). Hepcidin showed the strongest positive correlation with ferritin in CRC. Inflammatory markers (CRP and IL-6) correlated moderately to weakly with hepcidin in both groups (controls: rho = 0.52 (P < 0.001); CRC: rho = 0.26 (P = 0.022) for CRP and CRC: rho = 0.30 (P = 0.033) for IL-6). Notably, Hep concentrations were lower in patients with advanced tumor stage (T0 vs. T3, P = 0.043). Conclusion: These findings suggest that CRC is associated with lower hepcidin and ferritin concentrations, potentially reflecting complex and cancer-specific dysregulation in Fe metabolism beyond inflammation alone.
Tear Global Metabolomic Differences in Pre-Operative Cataract Patients With and Without Dry Eye Disease Morten Gundersen, Christian Nilsen, Per Jensen, Mazyar Yazdani, Øygunn Utheim, et al. Current Eye Research, 2025 PURPOSE The primary aim of this article was to investigate differences in the metabolomic profile of tear fluid obtained from pre-operative cataract patients, with or without dry eye disease. The objective was to look for metabolomic signatures that might discriminate between the two groups. METHODS A total of 222 patients were enrolled in the study. Eighty-one were randomly selected for metabolomic analysis from both dry eye positive and dry eye negative groups, categorized prior to cataract surgery. Tear film was collected using Schirmer-1 strips and analyzed using an optimized method developed for low-volume Schirmer samples and allowing for repeated analyses, including other -omics approaches at a later stage. Metabolomic data were collected using a global liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Samples were compared using principal component analysis and volcano plots to look for overall global differences as well as group-specific metabolic signatures. RESULTS All samples were analyzed with a high number of features identified. No group-specific clustering was observed in principal component analysis for the dry eye positive or dry eye negative groups. However, volcano plots revealed that a majority of the metabolomic features had lower concentration in the dry eye positive group compared to the dry eye negative group. Four of these features had a Log2-fold change ≤ -1 and p value ≤.05. These warrant further study. CONCLUSION Although no overall global difference was observed on the principal component analysis plots, a general trend of lower metabolite concentrations in the dry eye disease group was shown. Moreover, several metabolites of interest were discovered with significantly different signal intensities between the groups. These metabolites may aid future diagnostics and serve as possible biomarkers and therapeutic targets for dry eye disease in pre-operative cataract patients.
Method Development for Omics Analyses using Schirmer Strips Morten Gundersen, Per Jensen, Christian Nilsen, Mazyar Yazdani, Øygunn Utheim, et al. Current Eye Research, 2024 Purpose The aim of this article was to investigate whether Schirmer strips gathered during clinical dry eye examinations can be prepared for omics analyses in a standardized way, to adjust for variations in tear volume and enable two separate omics analyses from the same sample. In addition, the intention was to investigate whether fluorescein dye instillation in the eyes gave bias effects on metabolomic analysis. Methods Twelve samples from six individuals, with normal or reduced tear production, were collected. Half of the samples were harvested after instillation of fluorescein in the eye. Each strip was divided in half along the length and prepared with a new method for extracting tear content from the Schirmer strip. The new method was established to compensate for different dilutions of metabolites in varying Schirmer strip wetting levels when using identical extraction volume for all samples. Metabolomic data were compared in samples with and without fluorescein dye and Schirmer strips ranging from 1 to 35 mm wetting levels using a global LC–MS method. Results All samples were successfully analyzed with an average of ∼350 relevant features detected per sample after using both positive and negative electrospray ionization mode, despite low tear volumes in some samples and that only one half of the Schirmer strips were used. Principal component analysis plots and heatmaps revealed no bias effects of fluorescein dye presence or different Schirmer strip values when using the proposed method. Conclusion A high number of relevant metabolomic features can be extracted from longitudinally cut halves of Schirmer strips, which may enable analyses with more than one omics modality from the same sample. With the pre-analytical method described, Schirmer strips can be used for metabolomic analyses even in cases of very low or high tear volume with or without fluorescence.
Can endogenous ethylene glycol production occur in humans? A detailed investigation of adult monozygotic twin sisters Marc Ghannoum, Paula J. Waters, Knut Erik Hovda, Gabrielle Choquette, Katja Benedikte Prestø Elgstøen, et al. Clinical Toxicology, 2024 INTRODUCTION To the best of our knowledge, clinically significant endogenous ethylene glycol production has never been reported in humans, very seldom reported in other animals or microorganisms, and then only under rare and specific conditions. We describe the detailed investigations we undertook in two adult monozygotic twin sisters to ascertain whether they were producing endogenous ethylene glycol. METHODS Two previously healthy monozygotic adult twin sisters presented with recurrent episodes of apparent ethylene glycol poisoning beginning at age 35, requiring chronic hemodialysis to remove ethylene glycol and its metabolites as well as to restore metabolic homeostasis. The sisters denied ingestion or exposure to ethylene glycol. At their request, they were admitted to hospital under strict supervision to exclude surreptitious ingestion of ethylene glycol and to evaluate the need for treatment. Hemodialysis was withheld during this prospective study. Twin A was admitted for 14 days and twin B for 11 days. Serial biochemical analyses were performed in blood and urine. Clinical exome sequencing and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing were also completed. RESULTS In both twins, ethylene glycol was detected in urine, along with intermittent increases in concentrations of lactate, glycolate, and glycine in blood and/or urine. Blood ethylene glycol concentrations, however, remained <62 mg/L (<1 mmol/L) but became positive soon after discharge. The oxalate concentration remained normal in blood and urine. Plasma and urine amino acid profiles showed intermittent small increases in glycine, serine, taurine, proline, and/or alanine concentrations. Exome sequencing and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing were non-diagnostic. Neither twin has been admitted with metabolic acidosis nor ethylene glycol poisoning since chronic hemodialysis was started. Twin A developed a calcium oxalate dihydrate lithiasis. DISCUSSION Mitochondrial disease, methylmalonic/propionic/isovaleric aciduria, primary hyperoxaluria, and analyte error were all excluded in these twins, as were obvious common environmental exposures. CONCLUSION Detailed investigations were performed in adult monozygotic twin sisters to ascertain whether they were producing endogenous ethylene glycol. Alternative explanations were excluded to the very best of our efforts and knowledge. Global metabolomics, gut microbiome analyses, and whole genome sequencing are pending.
Bloodlettings in Hemochromatosis Result in Increased Blood Lead (Pb) Concentrations Mazyar Yazdani, Sonia Distante, Lars Mørkrid, Rune J. Ulvik, Bjørn J. Bolann Biological Trace Element Research, 2023 Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disorder, most often associated with mutations of the HFE (High FErrum) gene. If left untreated, it can result in severe parenchymal iron accumulation. Bloodletting is the mainstay treatment. We have previously shown that treatment of hemochromatosis by repeated bloodlettings may induce changes in the serum levels of several trace elements. The aim of this work was to evaluate if whole blood concentrations of the environmental pollutants lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) could be affected by bloodlettings. We recruited 28 patients and 21 healthy individuals (control group). Whole blood and urine levels of Pb, Hg, and Cd were measured before the start and after the completion of treatment using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, together with serum iron and liver function tests. Concentrations of blood Pb, but not Hg or Cd, were significantly increased after treatment. The increase in Pb was higher in C282Y homozygous patients than in the other patients, and it was positively correlated with the serum concentration of alkaline phosphatase. Bloodlettings in hemochromatosis result in an increase in the blood concentration of Pb. Augmented absorption due to iron loss or Pb mobilization from bone may contribute to the higher blood Pb level.
Is the high Cu tolerance of Trichoderma atroviride isolated from the Cu-polluted sediment due to adaptation? An in vitro toxicological study Sains Malaysiana, 2011
Effects of metal-contaminated soils on the accumulation of heavy met. in different parts of Centella Asiatica: A laboratory study Sains Malaysiana, 2010
An in vitro study on the adsorption, absorption and uptake capacity of Zn by the bioremediator Trichoderma atroviride Environmentasia, 2010
The identification of point sources in a river receiving industrial metal effluents at the serdang industrial area, Selangor Journal of Sustainability Science and Management, 2009
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Dry eye disease symptoms and associated risk factors in a Norwegian clinical cohort M Yazdani, FA Fineide, RA Badian, AZ Khan, H Rootwelt, JT Kvaløy, ... Acta Ophthalmologica , 2026 2026
Schirmer Strips in Tear Metabolomics of Dry Eye Disease: Pre-analytical and Analytical Considerations M Yazdani, KBP Elgstøen, TP Utheim Current Eye Research, 1-8 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Hepcidin Concentrations in Colorectal Cancer T Rolic, S Distante, M Yazdani, S Mandic AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY 100 , 2025 2025
Serum hepcidin concentration is lower in advanced stages of sporadic colorectal cancer T Rolić, S Mandić, M Yazdani, M Ferenac Kiš, S Distante, I Banjari Biochemia medica 35 (3) , 2025 2025
Tear global metabolomic differences in pre-operative cataract patients with and without dry eye disease M Gundersen, C Nilsen, P Jensen, M Yazdani, Ø Utheim, ES Sand, ... Current Eye Research 50 (6), 579-589 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Iron metabolism, calcium, magnesium and trace elements: a review T Rolić, M Yazdani, S Mandić, S Distante Biological trace element research 203 (4), 2216-2225 , 2025 2025 Citations: 95
Can endogenous ethylene glycol production occur in humans? A detailed investigation of adult monozygotic twin sisters (Sept, 10.1080/15563650.2024. 2401076, 2024) M Ghannoum, PJ Waters, KE Hovda, G Choquette, KBP Elgstoen, ... CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY 62 (11), 785-785 , 2024 2024
Can endogenous ethylene glycol production occur in humans? A detailed investigation of adult monozygotic twin sisters M Ghannoum, PJ Waters, KE Hovda, G Choquette, KBP Elgstøen, ... Clinical Toxicology 62 (11), 698-706 , 2024 2024
Cellular and molecular responses to mitochondrial DNA deletions in kearns-sayre syndrome: some underlying mechanisms M Yazdani Molecular Neurobiology 61 (8), 5665-5679 , 2024 2024 Citations: 12
Method development for omics analyses using Schirmer strips M Gundersen, P Jensen, C Nilsen, M Yazdani, Ø Utheim, EM Sandås, ... Current eye researCh 49 (7), 708-716 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Utrecht University Repository M Ghannoum, PJ Waters, KE Hovda, G Choquette, KBP Elgstøen, ... 2024
Tear film lipid layer and corneal oxygenation: a new function? M Yazdani Eye 37 (17), 3534-3541 , 2023 2023 Citations: 22
A transcriptomic study of native, expanded, and engineered human corneal endothelial cells (Retraction of Vol 97, 10.1111/J. 1755-3768.2019. 5242, 2019)(Retracted article. See … A Shahdadfar, M Yazdani ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA , 2023 2023
Bloodlettings in hemochromatosis result in increased blood lead (Pb) concentrations M Yazdani, S Distante, L Mørkrid, RJ Ulvik, BJ Bolann Biological Trace Element Research 201 (7), 3193-3201 , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
Increased sphingomyelin and free sialic acid in cerebrospinal fluid of Kearns-Sayre syndrome: new findings using untargeted metabolomics CL Salvador, M Oppebøen, AØ Vassli, HCV Pfeiffer, KN Varhaug, ... Pediatric Neurology 143, 68-76 , 2023 2023 Citations: 13
Global metabolomics discovers two novel biomarkers in pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy caused by ALDH7A1 deficiency HO Böhm, M Yazdani, EM Sandås, A Østeby Vassli, E Kristensen, ... International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23 (24), 16061 , 2022 2022 Citations: 10
Evaluation of the Ocular Surface Disease Index Questionnaire as a Discriminative Test for Clinical Findings in Dry Eye Disease Patients (vol 44, pg 941, 2019) M Yazdani, X Chen, B Tashbayev, OA Utheim, S Raeder, Y Hua, JR Eidet, ... CURRENT EYE RESEARCH 47 (9), II , 2022 2022
The therapeutic benefits of nanoencapsulation in drug delivery to the anterior segment of the eye: a systematic review M Bhandari, S Nguyen, M Yazdani, TP Utheim, E Hagesaether Frontiers in pharmacology 13, 903519 , 2022 2022 Citations: 16
Uncontrolled oxygen levels in cultures of retinal pigment epithelium: have we missed the obvious? M Yazdani Current Eye Research 47 (5), 651-660 , 2022 2022 Citations: 3
A pioneer study on human 3‐nitropropionic acid intoxication: contributions from metabolomics H Bendiksen Skogvold, M Yazdani, EM Sandås, A Østeby Vassli, ... Journal of Applied Toxicology 42 (5), 818-829 , 2022 2022 Citations: 36
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Intense pulsed light treatment in meibomian gland dysfunction: A concise review B Tashbayev, M Yazdani, R Arita, F Fineide, TP Utheim The ocular surface 18 (4), 583-594 , 2020 2020 Citations: 129
Tear Metabolomics in Dry Eye Disease: A Review M Yazdani, KBP Elgstøen, H Rootwelt, A Shahdadfar, ØA Utheim, ... International Journal of Molecular Sciences 20 (15), 3755 , 2019 2019 Citations: 116
Concerns in the application of fluorescent probes DCDHF-DA, DHR 123 and DHE to measure reactive oxygen species in vitro M Yazdani Toxicology in Vitro 30, 578-582 , 2015 2015 Citations: 114
Iron metabolism, calcium, magnesium and trace elements: a review T Rolić, M Yazdani, S Mandić, S Distante Biological trace element research 203 (4), 2216-2225 , 2025 2025 Citations: 95
Effects of metal-contaminated soils on the accumulation of heavy metals in different parts of Centella asiatica: a laboratory study CK Yap, MR Mohd Fitri, M Yazdani, SG Tan Sains Malaysiana 39 (3), 347-352 , 2010 2010 Citations: 78
An in vitro study on the adsorption, absorption and uptake capacity of Zn by the bioremediator Trichoderma atroviride M Yazdani, CK Yap, F Abdullah, SG Tan Environment Asia 3 (1), 53-59 , 2010 2010 Citations: 69
Utility of tear osmolarity measurement in diagnosis of dry eye disease B Tashbayev, TP Utheim, ØA Utheim, S Ræder, JL Jensen, M Yazdani, ... Scientific Reports 10 (1), 5542 , 2020 2020 Citations: 66
Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A interferes with the development of cerebellar granule neurons in mice and chicken GH Mathisen, M Yazdani, KE Rakkestad, PK Aden, J Bodin, M Samuelsen, ... International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience 31 (8), 762-769 , 2013 2013 Citations: 64
Hyaluronan-Based Hydrogel Scaffolds for Limbal Stem Cell Transplantation: A Review M Yazdani, A Shahdadfar, CJ Jackson, TP Utheim Cells 8 (3), 245 , 2019 2019 Citations: 61
Comparative toxicity of selected PAHs in rainbow trout hepatocytes: genotoxicity, oxidative stress and cytotoxicity M Yazdani Drug and chemical toxicology, 1-8 , 2018 2018 Citations: 52
Eye make-up products and dry eye disease: a mini review M Yazdani, KBP Elgstøen, TP Utheim Current Eye Research 47 (1), 1-11 , 2022 2022 Citations: 40
Trichoderma atroviride as a bioremediator of Cu pollution: An in vitro study M Yazdani, CK Yap, F Abdullah, SG Tan Toxicological and Environ Chemistry 91 (7), 1305-1314 , 2009 2009 Citations: 40
Species-dependent sensitivity to contaminants: An approach using primary hepatocyte cultures with three marine fish species KS Ellesat, M Yazdani, TF Holth, K Hylland Marine environmental research 72 (4), 216-224 , 2011 2011 Citations: 39
Tear film break-up time and dry eye disease severity in a large Norwegian cohort M Yazdani, J Fiskådal, X Chen, ØA Utheim, S Ræder, V Vitelli, TP Utheim Journal of Clinical Medicine 10 (4), 884 , 2021 2021 Citations: 37
Short-term effect of bisphenol-a on oxidative stress responses in Atlantic salmon kidney cell line: a transcriptional study M Yazdani, AMS Andresen, T Gjøen Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods 26 (4), 295-300 , 2016 2016 Citations: 37
A pioneer study on human 3‐nitropropionic acid intoxication: contributions from metabolomics H Bendiksen Skogvold, M Yazdani, EM Sandås, A Østeby Vassli, ... Journal of Applied Toxicology 42 (5), 818-829 , 2022 2022 Citations: 36
Technical aspects of oxygen level regulation in primary cell cultures: A review M Yazdani Interdisciplinary toxicology 9 (3–4), 85–89 , 2016 2016 Citations: 35
Fibrous shape underlies the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of nanosilver while surface chemistry affects the biosafety of iron oxide nanoparticles A Gábelová, N El Yamani, TI Alonso, B Buliaková, A Srančíková, ... Mutagenesis 32 (1), 193-202 , 2017 2017 Citations: 28
Evaluation of the Ocular Surface Disease Index Questionnaire as a Discriminative Test for Clinical Findings in Dry Eye Disease Patients M Yazdani, X Chen, B Tashbayev, ØA Utheim, S Ræder, Y Hua, JR Eidet, ... Current eye research , 2019 2019 Citations: 23
Tear film lipid layer and corneal oxygenation: a new function? M Yazdani Eye 37 (17), 3534-3541 , 2023 2023 Citations: 22
