title: Serum oxidative and antioxidant parameters in a group of Italian patients with age-related maculopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to measure the oxidative and antioxidant biochemical parameters in the serum of Italian patients with age-related maculopathy (ARM) and in a similar age control group from the same area, in order to determine the weight of oxidative status as risk factor in the early stage of macular degeneration onwards.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight ARM patients (19 early and 29 late form) and 46 normal subjects, similar for age, sex and life-style, were studied. A series of serum and/or plasma antioxidants (vitamins C, E, A, total and individual carotenoids, zinc, total plasma antioxidant capacity--TRAP) and oxidative parameters (reactive oxygen metabolites--ROM, oxidized-low-density lipoprotein antibodies-anti-Ox-LDL) were evaluated in both groups, also with regard to age and disease stage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of vitamins C, E, total carotenoids and beta-cryptoxanthine were lower in late ARM than in early ARM (p<0.05). Of the serum carotenoids investigated, only lycopene was lower in the two ARM forms than in controls (p<0.05). The main biochemical parameters, TRAP, zinc, anti-Ox-LDL and ROM were similar in the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A deficit of antioxidants (vitamins C, E and carotenoids) seems to be associated with ARM in Italian patients, particularly the advanced form, it is also suggested that in ARM patients macular susceptibility to oxidative damage is not related with age.
authors: Dipartimento di Clinica Oculistica, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, II Università di Napoli, Naples, Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Simonelli
authors: Federica
authors: F
authors: Zarrilli
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Mazzeo
authors: Vincenza
authors: V
authors: Verde
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Romano
authors: Marcella
authors: M
authors: Savoia
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Testa
authors: Dino Franco
authors: DF
authors: Vitale
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Rinaldi
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Sacchetti
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D004032:Diet; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008019:Life Style; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016877:Oxidants / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016877:Oxidants