Systemic redox modifications in senile cataract.
Recent studies on cataract formation focus on a primary role of systemic oxidative stress, generated outside the lens. Plasma inflammatory markers are associated with senile cataract.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to find correlations between blood oxidative stress markers and some inflammatory plasma markers in cataractous patients.


METHODS
The blood samples were collected from 38 patients (aged 50 to 80). Patients were subdivided according to two criteria. Considering age criteria, presenile and senile cataract groups were formed. According to the absence or presence of other ocular comorbidities (age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma), pure cataract and nonpure cataract groups were constituted. Fifteen age and sex matched healthy subjects were selected for the control group.


RESULTS
In our study, for all groups of patients, the measured markers of oxidative stress were modified vs. control values. Plasma antioxidant capacity, plasma antioxidant "gap", cholesterol and albumin/globulin levels were significantly decreased while RBC SOD activity, RBC catalase activity and plasma ceruloplasmin were significantly increased. Inflammatory markers, ceruloplasmin and albumin/globulins were correlated with different parameters of oxidative stress.


CONCLUSIONS
The blood redox values and the level of some inflammatory markers demonstrate that senile cataract is a systemic disease with an inflammatory component.
Vîrgolici
Bogdana
B
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
Stoian
Irina
I
Muscurel
Corina
C
Mărăcine
Magda
M
Popescu
Laura
L
Moraru
C
C
Dinu
Veronica
V
D002386:Cataract / Q000378:metabolism*; D002570:Ceruloplasmin / Q000032:analysis; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis
D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D002570:Ceruloplasmin