Oxidative Macromolecular Damage in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Purpose: To evaluate oxidative damage to the macromolecules, including protein, lipid, and DNA, in association with total oxidation status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Materials and Methods: Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) as an index of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl (PC) as a marker of protein oxidation, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as an indicator of oxidative DNA damage along with TOS, TAC were measured by specific methods in 47 patients with exudative AMD and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Results: Significantly higher MDA, PC, 8-OHdG, TOS, and lower TAC levels were detected in the serum of patients with exudative AMD compared with their controls (p<0.001). Conclusion: The results indicate that an imbalance between TOS and TAC leads to not only increased lipid damage, but also protein and DNA damage. These first reported results suggest that protein and DNA damage might also play a role in the pathogenesis of AMD.