DOI: https://doi.org/10.22263/2312-4156.2025.4.42
L.M. Miadzvedzeva, N.K. Karalkova, N.N. Yarotskaya
Evaluation of some structural and functional changes in the erythrocyte membrane in patients with age-related macular degeneration. A clinician’s view
Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University, Vitebsk, Republic of Belarus
Vestnik VGMU. 2025;24(4):42-48.
Abstract.
Objectives. To determine the content of total protein and lipids in erythrocyte membranes in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Material and methods. The study group consisted of patients with the “wet” form of AMD, and the comparison group without AMD. The first group included 76 patients (mean age was 73 years), 72% women and 28% men, and the second group included 50 people (mean age was 70 years), 60% women and 40% men. The ophthalmological examination was performed, venous blood was taken and erythrocyte membranes were isolated using the Dodge method. Total cholesterol was determined using the Zlatkis-Zak method. The content of total phospholipids was measured by the optical density of the standard. Protein concentration was determined using the Lowry method.
Results. It was revealed that the groups differed significantly in the content of total protein (TP) in erythrocyte membranes (p=0.000005). The ratio of cholesterol to total protein (Chol/TP) in the study group was significantly lower, p=0.00039, phospholipids to total protein (PL/TP), p=0.021, was also lower, and cholesterol to phospholipids (Chol/PL) was greater than 0.9 in both groups (p=0.78), which corresponds to the age-related changes.
Discussions. Having studied the protein-lipid profile of the erythrocyte membrane of patients with AMD, it was found that the content of total protein in the membrane was 1.5 times higher, the ratio of Chol/TP and PL/TP was significantly lower. The expected difference in the content of Chol, PL and the PL/Chol index was not revealed. Changes in the membrane structure naturally lead to functional disorders in the erythrocyte itself, which entails a number of possible systemic changes. AMD should not be considered as a local process associated with changes only in the retinal pigment epithelium, Bruch’s membrane and choriocapillaris. The onset of the disease, its course, can serve as a risk factor for systemic disorders and requires further study.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration, erythrocyte membrane, pathogenesis, oxidative stress.
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Submitted 18.07.2025
Accepted 22.08.2025
Information about authors:
Liudmila M. Miadzvedzeva – senior lecturer of the Chair of Ophthalmology & Otorhinolaryngology, Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University, e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.;
N.K. Karalkova – Candidate of Medical Sciences, associate professor, head of the Chair of Ophthalmology & Otorhinolaryngology, Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University;
Natalia N. Yarotskaya – Candidate of Medical Sciences, associate professor of the Chair of General & Clinical Biochemistry with the course of the Faculty for Advanced Training & Retraining, Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University.
