Oxidative Stress and Protein Oxidation in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the oxidant/antioxidant status and protein oxidation in pseudoexfoliation syndrome. METHODS: The activity of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the levels of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) were measured in 50 patients with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) and in 55 healthy controls. RESULTS: There was significant difference in the SOD activity in PEX group compared with the control group (p < 0.001). In addition, MDA and PC levels were significantly higher in patients than in the controls (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Decrease in SOD activity and the higher levels of MDA and PC indicate increased oxidative stress. Our results suggest a possible role of oxidative stress in pathology of PEX syndrome.