Serum Alpha-1-Antitriypsin Levels in Patients with Pseudoexfolative Syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the levels of serum α 1-antitrypsin in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) and healthy control subjects without PEX. Material and Methods: Forty-four patient with PEX and 40 healthy control subjects (84 subjects total) were enrolled into the study. Serum ATT levels were measured using nephelometry. Results: The mean serum AAT concentration in PEX group was significantly higher than in the controls (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Serum AAT levels were found to be increased in patients with PEX. Increased serum AAT levels in PEX may explain the role of inflammation in this group of patients.

KEYWORDS:

• alpha-1-antitrypsin
• inflammation
• protease inhibitor
• pseudoexfoliation syndrome
• serum