Antioxidant enzymes in RBCs as a biological index of age related macular degeneration.

The present study was undertaken to assess the levels of antioxidant enzymes in red blood cells of subjects with age-related macular degeneration and age-matched controls. The results obtained show a significant decrease in activities of superoxide dismutase (p < 0.001) and glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.001) as compared to the controls. A good correlation (r = -0.99) was also observed between age and decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes in controls, and also correlated well with age-related macular degeneration. In conclusion, oxidative stress as assessed by antioxidant enzymes is more pronounced in subjects with age-related macular degeneration as compared to age-matched controls.