title: The effects of steroids on the human lens epithelium.
abstract: A study of anterior capsules from cataractous lenses revealed that there are marked abnormalities in epithelial structure associated with cataract. In certain cases a distinctive reticulated pattern was observed in whole mounts of the anterior capsule and of these a higher number than expected were from patients receiving steroid medication. In tissue culture experiments it was found that the presence of steroids in the growth medium (10 microM prednisolone) adversely affected the growth of human lens epithelial cells. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that steroid-induced cataracts are the result of effects on anterior lens epithelial cell function.
authors.affiliation: Eye Group, St George's Hospital Medical School, Tooting, London.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Karim
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000009:adverse effects; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D002452:Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects*; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone; D001507:Beclomethasone