Oxidative stress and primary open-angle glaucoma: A correlative study of serum bilirubin, albumin, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance

Background: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a major health burden throughout the world. The imbalance between antioxidant defence and pro-oxidant plays an important role in this multifactorial disorder. Few recent studies have shown that serum total bilirubin and albumin play an important role in POAG. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to estimate serum albumin, total bilirubin, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and advanced oxidative protein products (AOPP) in POAG cases and controls and find out the association between serum total bilirubin, albumin with TBARSs. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the department of Biochemistry, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, after getting ethical clearance. Fifty-five cases and 55 comparisons were taken. Samples were processed, and tests were performed. Results: It showed that the mean intraocular pressure in the case is 22.51±1.77 mm of Hg much higher than the comparison group 13.78±1.49 mm of Hg. Serum total bilirubin and serum albumin were significantly decreased in POAG cases. Serum TBARS and serum AOPP were significantly increased in POAG cases. Spearman’s rho correlation showed that there was a significantly negative correlation between TBARS and total bilirubin (r=−0.370). Spearman’s rho correlation showed that there was a significant positive correlation between serum AOPP and TBARS (r=0.556). Spearman’s rho correlation showed that there was a negative correlation between serum albumin and TBARS (r=−0.076, which was statistically not significant P=0.428). Conclusion: Oxidative stress plays an important role in POAG. Bilirubin and albumin, through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, try to prevent the progression of POAG.