Plasma malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels in age related macular degeneration.

AIMS To evaluate alteration of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in patients with exudative age related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS Plasma nitrite plus nitrate concentrations as an index of plasma NO levels and plasma MDA level as a marker of lipid peroxidation were measured in patients with exudative ARMD and age and sex matched healthy subjects. RESULTS Significantly higher MDA and lower NO levels were detected in plasma of patients with ARMD compared with their controls (p=0.01, p=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION The results may support involvement of oxidative damage and vascular theory in the pathogenesis of ARMD as part of the ageing process.