title: Role of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in cataractogenesis in type 2 diabetic patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine and compare the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in human lens epithelial cells of cataract patients with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR).
  
  
  METHODS
  St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were classified into 3 groups as follows: patients without diabetes mellitus (DM) (Group 1), patients with DM but without DR (Group 2), and patients with DM and DR (Group 3). An anterior capsulotomy specimen was obtained from each patient during cataract surgery, and immunohistochemical staining was performed for caspase-3 and caspase-9. The results were observed using confocal microscopy and were analyzed by reactivity scoring. The duration of DM and the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study evaluated 60 patients. The level of caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression was highest in Group 3 followed by Group 2 and Group 1 (both P < .00). Expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 was higher with a longer duration of DM and with higher HbA1c levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intrinsic apoptotic pathway may be associated with diabetic cataract in patients with type 2 DM.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science (Jung, Kim, Joo), Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, and the Department of Ophthalmology (Chung), Yeoido St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Younhea
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Man Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Choun-Ki
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.forename: Sung Kun
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D057866:Anterior Capsule of the Lens / Q000201:enzymology; D017209:Apoptosis; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000502:physiology*; D053453:Caspase 9 / Q000502:physiology*; D002386:Cataract / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000201:enzymology*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000201:enzymology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D053148:Caspase 3; D053453:Caspase 9; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; C506433:CASP9 protein, human