Glutathione and lipid peroxide changes in pseudoexfoliation syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the oxidative status of the aqueous humor of patients with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome.


METHODS
Aqueous humor samples obtained during cataract surgery of patients with PEX syndrome and normal age-matched control subjects were examined for changes in the levels of glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), and TBA reactive species (TBARS), products of lipid peroxidation. GSH, GSSG, and TBARS were determined by specific fluorescent assays.


RESULTS
Compared to normal controls, PEX syndrome aqueous humor samples showed a decrease of up to 28% of GSH concentration, and GSSG was increased up to 23%. The ratio of GSH/GSSG was 1.7-fold decreased in PEX syndrome samples. TBARS levels were increased by 100% in the PEX aqueous humor samples as compared to the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
High levels of GSSG and TBARS indicate high oxidative stress, as well as the decrease in the ratio of GSH/GSSG. Our findings suggest a role for oxidation stress in the pathogenesis and the progression of PEX syndrome.
Gartaganis
S P
SP
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece. s.gartag@med.upatras.gr
Georgakopoulos
C D
CD
Patsoukis
N E
NE
Gotsis
S S
SS
Gartaganis
V S
VS
Georgiou
C D
CD
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism*; D017889:Exfoliation Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism*; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism
D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D005978:Glutathione; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide