Evidence for the prevention of oxidative tissue damage in the inner eye by vitamins E and C.

The injection of oxidative metabolites such as lipid peroxides (LPO) into the vitreous cavity led to tissue damage demonstrable by a dose-dependent increase in intravitreal and intralental LPO levels, which are expressed as thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances (TBARS). This process was accompanied by an inflammatory response as indicated by the occurrence of leukocyte-derived myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the vitreous body. Intramuscular injections of vitamin E were very effective in reducing both TBARS and MPO activity, whereas vitamin C had a moderate effect on TBARS only. The injection of a combination of the two vitamins was no more effective than treatment with vitamin E alone.