Published in:
01-10-2017 | Original Paper
Comparison of serum thiol–disulphide homeostasis and total antioxidant–oxidant levels between exudative age-related macular degeneration patients and healthy subjects
Published in: International Ophthalmology | Issue 5/2017
Login to get accessAbstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study was to calculate serum total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and dynamic thiol–disulphide (T-D) homeostasis in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and compare the results with healthy individuals.
Methods
Thirty-three exudative AMD patients and 33 healthy controls were included in this case–control study. Participants’ serum TAS and TOS levels were measured. In addition, total thiol (TT), native thiol (NT), and disulphide (DS) concentrations were assessed using a novel automated method of measurement.
Results
In comparison with the control group, serum TAS, TT, and NT levels were found to be significantly lower (p < 0.0001, p = 0.004, p = 0.003, respectively) and TOS levels were detected higher (p = 0.032) in AMD patients. Serum DS levels were elevated in the AMD patient group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.219). DS/TT and DS/NT ratios were significantly higher (p = 0.012, p = 0.013, respectively) in AMD patients. A positive correlation was found between TT and NT (p < 0.0001) in AMD group.
Conclusions
Serum TOS levels are higher, TAS levels are lower, and the T-D balance is shifted to the DS bond side in AMD patients. These results suggest that increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant levels may play a role in AMD progression. Further studies are needed to confirm the pathophysiologic role of T-D homeostasis in AMD.