Metabolic disturbance in age-related macular degeneration

The photodynamic effect may damage the choroid-retina in AMD, which involve to oxygen producing the superoxide free radical. The enzymatic and non-enzymatic defence systems would appear the capacity to scavenge the toxication in choroid and retina. We observed the superoxide dismutase and catalase decreased as well as the decrease of serum zinc in AMD patients than in the controls (p>0.01). The results showed the protective capacity decreased by the enzymatic and non-enzymic defense systems in some AMD patients. It may be one of the important roles in the pathogenesis of AMD.