[In vitro level of L-ascorbic acid radical in lenses of patients with senile or diabetic cataract--preliminary study].
BACKGROUND
To estimate the in vitro level of L-ascorbic acid radical in lenses of patients with senile or diabetic cataract using EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance) spectroscopy.


METHODS
24 human cataractous nuclei obtained during extracapsular removal were used. 5 of them (21%) were from diabetic patients. The analysis was carried out at the Department of Medical Physics of the Pomeranian Medical University using EPR spectroscopy. The in vitro level of L-ascorbic acid radical was calculated as the number of unpaired spins in the lens calculated in units x 10(16)/gram (spin/g), which is proportional to the in vivo level of vitamin C in lenses.


RESULTS
The average L-ascorbic acid radical level in lenses of diabetic patients amounted 0.53 x 10(16) spin/g +/- 0.22 x 10(16) spin/g, and was lower than in group of non-diabetic patients in which it ranged 0.87 x 10(16) spin/g +/- 0.31 x 10(16) spin/g (p = 0.036). There was no significant correlation between L-ascorbic acid radical level and sex, age or visual acuity in these two groups of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) EPR spectroscopy can be used to determine the in vitro level of L-ascorbic acid radical in human lenses. (2) The in vitro L-ascorbic acid radical level in cataract lenses of patients with diabetes was lower than in patients without diabetes. (3). Lower in vitro level of L-ascorbic acid radical in lenses of patients with diabetes means lower in vivo level of vitamin C, what suggests an increased intensity of free radical reactions in the group of patients with diabetes than in the group without diabetes.
Gosławski
Wojciech
W
Katedra i Klinika Okulistyki Pomorskiej Akademii Medycznej w Szczecinie al. Powstattc6w Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin.
Mozolewska-Piotrowska
Katarzyna
K
Gonet
Bolesław
B
Karczewicz
Danuta
D
D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male
D005609:Free Radicals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid