Oxidative stress markers in aqueous humor of patients with senile cataracts.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the levels of oxidative stress markers in human eyes with senile cataracts.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective, case-controlled study of 57 patients with senile cataracts. To assess oxidative stress markers in the eye, we measured the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as the total protein levels in aqueous humor.


RESULTS
In aqueous humor, SOD and CAT activity levels were 0.133 +/- 0.020 and 1.223 +/- 0.081 U/ml, respectively; protein levels were 2.372 +/- 0.166 mg/ml (means +/- SEM). We observed a significant increase in SOD activity and the protein level in progressed nuclear cataracts. No significant age-associated difference in antioxidant enzyme levels was detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant increases in the levels of SOD activity and total protein correlated with the severity of the cataract but not with patient age, suggesting that progressed cataract is associated with molecules leaking from the lens capsule.
Sawada
Hideko
H
Department of Ophthalmology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata, Japan. jedemalgutentag@hotmail.com
Fukuchi
Takeo
T
Abe
Haruki
H
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000201:enzymology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002386:Cataract / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D005136:Eye Proteins; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase