Document Detail


Ascorbic acid concentration and total antioxidant activity of human tear fluid measured using the FRASC assay.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11006216     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
PURPOSE: To evaluate a novel method (FRASC) for total ferric reducing (antioxidant) activity and ascorbic acid concentration applied to human tears, to investigate the stability of ascorbic acid, and to determine the antioxidant status of human reflex tears. METHODS: Linearity, sensitivity, and precision of FRASC and ascorbic acid loss during 7 days' storage were assessed; total antioxidant activity and ascorbic acid and uric acid concentrations of reflex tears from 47 healthy subjects were measured. RESULTS: FRASC has good precision, linearity, and sensitivity. Ascorbic acid is stable for at least 7 days at moderately acidic pH (pH 3.6) and low temperature. Total antioxidant activity and ascorbic acid and uric acid concentrations (mean +/- SD) in reflex tears were 409 +/- 162, 23 +/- 9.6, and 68 +/- 46 microM, respectively. Ascorbic acid and uric acid constituted around half the total antioxidant activity measured. There was a significant correlation between uric acid and total antioxidant activity (r = 0.754; P: < 0.0001). Men had significantly (P: = 0.0045) higher tear ascorbic acid concentrations than women. CONCLUSIONS: FRASC is suitable for measuring total antioxidant activity and ascorbic acid in human tears. Further clinical study is needed to investigate the male-female difference seen, to characterize the remaining 50% antioxidant activity, and to investigate the effects of environmental conditions, antioxidant supplementation, age, and ocular disease on tear antioxidant status.
Authors:
C K Choy; I F Benzie; P Cho
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Investigative ophthalmology & visual science     Volume:  41     ISSN:  0146-0404     ISO Abbreviation:  Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.     Publication Date:  2000 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2000-10-12     Completed Date:  2000-10-12     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7703701     Medline TA:  Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  3293-8     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Departments of Optometry and Radiography and. Nursing and Health Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Antioxidants / analysis*
Ascorbic Acid / analysis*
Female
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Male
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity
Sex Factors
Specimen Handling
Tears / chemistry*
Uric Acid / analysis
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Antioxidants; 50-81-7/Ascorbic Acid; 69-93-2/Uric Acid

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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