ROLE OF THE OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ANTIOXIDANTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PSEUDOEXFOLIATION SYNDROME

The aim of the study was to investigate the role of oxidant/antioxidant status and protein oxidation in the development of pseudoexfoliation (PSX) syndrome. The activities of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the levels of serum malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), glutathione (GSH), and vitamin C were measured in 20 patients with PSX and in 20 control subjects without PSX. The serum MDA and AOPP levels were significantly increased in PSX group when compared to the control group (p<0.05). The serum GSH levels and SOD, GPx activities were significantly decreased in the PSX group when compared to the control group (p<0.05). It was shown that in the study groups the serum vitamin C levels were unchanged (p>0.05). These results support the hypothesis that decreased antioxidant defense system and increased oxidative stress may be important for the development of PSX syndrome.