Thiol–Disulfide Homeostasis and Serum Ischemia Modified Albumin Levels in Patients with Primary Open–Angle Glaucoma

Abstract

ABSTRACTAim: Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy causing progressive impairment of visual functions. We aimed to assess the alterations in thiol–disulfide homeostasis and serum ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels, which are the determinants of antioxidant status, in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Material and Method: A total of 140 eyes from 70 patients with POAG and 174 eyes of 87 healthy, control cases were included in the study. All study participants underwent a complete ophthalmic evaluation. Alterations in serum thiol–disulfide homeostasis and IMA levels were measured in all participants.Results: IMA levels were significantly higher in glaucoma group (p:0.001). Native thiol, Total thiol and Native/Total thiol ratio were significantly decreased while Disulfide, Disulfide/Native thiol, and Disulfide/Total thiol ratios were significantly higher in glaucoma group (p:0.001). There was no significant difference regarding central corneal thickness (CCT), iridocorneal angle, albumin, IMA and adjusted IMA levels in patients with different stages of glaucoma. In correlation analysis, there was a negative correlation between Native thiol, Total thiol and Native/Total thiol ratio and disease period, number of daily drops required and stage of the disease in glaucoma patients. There was also a positive correlation between Disulfide, Disulfide/Native thiol and Disulfide/Total thiol levels and the disease activity.Conclusion: In patients with POAG, thiol–disulfide homeostasis is disturbed in the favor of pro-oxidant molecules and IMA levels are increased, indicating the presence of augmented oxidative stress. In that aspect, systemic and local anti-oxidant treatments may be new targets in glaucoma treatment. Larger, prospective studies about the role of anti-oxidants in prevention and treatment of POAG are warranted.