Original Paper

Age- and Gender-Related Differences in Human Lacrimal Fluid Peroxidase Activity
Giordana Marcozzi^a, Veronica Liberati^b, Federica Madia^b, Marco Centofanti^c, Giuseppe de Feo<sup>b

a</sup>Department of Basic and Applied Biology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila,
^bDepartment of Pharmacology of Natural Substances and General Physiology, University of Rome, 'La Sapienza', and
^cEye Clinic, II University of Rome, 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy

Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmologica 2003;217:294-297 (DOI: 10.1159/000070638)

  Key Words

• Age
• Gender
• Lacrimal fluid
• Estrogen
• Peroxidase activity

  Abstract

There is evidence to suggest that estrogen influences lacrimal fluid peroxidase activity in women. In this study we investigated changes in peroxidase activity related to ageing and gender. These changes might help to explain the common problem of dry-eye syndrome in menopausal women. Unstimulated tears were collected from 70 healthy subjects of both sexes (age range 24-90 years). Tear samples were collected from 9 to 10 a.m., when peroxidase activity remained stable. In women, lacrimal fluid peroxidase activity decreased significantly during the menopause (p < 0.05 by one-way ANOVA), and thereafter remained unchanged. Conversely, in men, lacrimal fluid peroxidase activity decreased later, declining significantly only towards the age of 80 (p < 0.05). Lacrimal fluid peroxidase activity differs in men and women: the gender-related difference accentuates during ageing, probably owing to changing estrogen levels.

Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Dr. G. Marcozzi
Department of Basic and Applied Biology, Coppito 1, University of L'Aquila
Via Vetoio
I-67010 L'Aquila (Italy)
Tel. +39 0862 43 32 56, Fax +39 0862 43 32 73, E-Mail giordanamarcozzi@hotmail.com

  Article Information

Received: July 16, 2002
Accepted after revision: January 9, 2003
Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 30