title: [Preventive effect of estrogen on cataract development].
abstract: A number of epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that senior age at menarche and junior age at menopause are associated with an increased incidence of cataract, and that endogenous estrogen or postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may prevent cataract development. The molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon are largely undetermined. Estrogen confers protection against cataract through antioxidative impairment, maintains normal function of lenticular membrane, TGF-beta mediated and estrogen receptor mediated effects. The research of these effects and its interactions may lead to a better understanding of the protective mechanism of estrogen and also provide a new thought for treatment and prevention of cataract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, China.
authors.forename: Jianwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens