Evaluation of Oxidative Stress Markers in Aqueous Humor of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma Patients

Abstract

Purpose: The present study was designed to determine the levels of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (vitamins C and E) in aqueous humor of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) patients.

Materials and Methods: In this study, aqueous humor of POAG (n = 30) and PACG (n = 30) patients was obtained. For control, aqueous humor of 30 age-matched cataract patients (n = 30) was collected. Activities of antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidants levels were measured spectrophotometrically.

Results: A significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities was found in aqueous humor of POAG and PACG patients as compared to cataract patients (p < 0.001). No significant changes were observed in catalase activity. The levels of vitamins C and E were significantly lower in the aqueous humor of POAG and PACG as compared to cataract patients (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: These results suggest that a significant increase in oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of POAG and PACG. Determination of oxidative stress in aqueous humor may help in understanding the course of this disease, and oxidative damage might be a relevant target for both prevention and therapy.

• Antioxidant enzymes
• cataract
• glaucoma
• vitamin C
• vitamin E

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Amita Goyal and Arpna Srivastava were recipients of research fellowship from the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India respectively. We thank Dr. Guresh Kumar (Department of Biostatistics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, India) for helping in the statistical analysis.