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Decreased total antioxidants in patients with primary open angle glaucoma
Khaled K Abu-Amero1, Altaf A Kondkar, Ahmed Mousa
1Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. abuamero@gmail.com
Current Eye Research
|May 9, 2013
Summary
Total antioxidant status (TAS) is lower in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients, suggesting a role in disease development. Reduced TAS may indicate increased glaucoma severity, particularly with higher cup/disc ratios.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biochemistry
- Oxidative Stress Research
Background:
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.
- Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of various ocular diseases, including glaucoma.
- Total antioxidant status (TAS) reflects the body's overall capacity to neutralize harmful free radicals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
- To compare TAS levels between POAG patients and healthy controls.
- To explore correlations between POAG clinical indicators and TAS levels.
Main Methods:
- Plasma samples collected from 139 POAG patients and 148 age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched controls.
- TAS levels measured using spectrophotometric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques.
- Statistical analysis to assess differences and associations between TAS and clinical parameters.
Main Results:
- POAG patients exhibited significantly lower mean plasma TAS (0.47 ± 0.32) compared to controls (0.97 ± 0.43; p < 0.0001).
- No significant association was found between TAS levels and intraocular pressure or the number of anti-glaucoma medications used.
- A significant inverse correlation between TAS and cup/disc ratio (p = 0.043) suggested a trend towards reduced TAS with increased glaucoma severity.
Conclusions:
- Plasma TAS is demonstrably lower in individuals with POAG, indicating its potential involvement in the disease's pathophysiology.
- The observed association between lower TAS and increased cup-to-disc ratio suggests TAS may serve as a predictive biomarker for POAG severity.
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