Does coenzyme Q10 play a role in opposing oxidative stress in patients with age-related macular degeneration?

To seek some specific biochemical markers of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) levels were determined in plasma and platelets from 19 exudative AMD patients and 19 age-matched controls, Lipid peroxidation was followed in plasma in vitro after the addition of a free radical initiator, Most patients had lower plasma CoQ(10) content than most controls. Plasma from controls showed greater capacity to oppose the oxidative damage, These results support the concept that free radicals play a pathogenic role in AMD and that CoQ(10) may have a protective effect, Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG. Basel.