Combined effects of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption on antioxidant/oxidant balance in age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the single and joint effects of chronic cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption on oxidative stress in age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).


METHODS
Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), and catalase (CAT) activities; malondialdehyde (MDA) levels; and DNA damage were measured in patients with early ARMD (n=211) and late ARMD (n=205), and control persons (n=262).


RESULTS
When compared with healthy controls, early- and late-ARMD patients showed significant decreases in the activities of SOD and GSHPx, but not CAT, along with marked enhancements of MDA levels and tail parameters (p<0.01). No notable differences were observed in the early- vs the late-ARMD group for each of the above mentioned dependent variables. Multiple regression analysis revealed that in healthy subjects chronic smoking had the strongest impact on SOD and GSHPx activities, MDA levels, and amount of DNA damage, whereas in ARMD patients, the combination of smoking and drinking habits was the greatest predictor of oxidative stress.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of chronic cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption appears to be an aggravating factor that contribute to serious oxidative imbalance and DNA damage in ARMD. Thus, combined smoking/drinking by persons with this pathological condition should be considered harmful. Identification of factors exacerbating ARMD-associated oxidative stress can facilitate development and adoption of effective preventative measures for this disease.
Dipartimento di Scienze Sperimentali Medico-Chirurgiche Specialistiche ed Odontostomatologiche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria G Martino, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy.
Isabella
I
Venza
Maria
M
Visalli
Rosaria
R
Oteri
Diana
D
Teti
Mario
M
Venza
D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase