Systemic markers of age-related changes in the lens

A dependency was found between total protein content and cataract maturity (P=-0.91, p<0.01). LPO intensity sharply increased and remained stably high after appearance of lens opacity. A strict negative correlation was found between the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in earwax and lens nucleus (P=-0.7, p<0.01). The content of conjugated dienes, crotonic aldehyde, and Schiff bases decreased during cataract development. The content of vitamins B(2), A, and E decreased with increasing brown coloration of lens nucleus. Studying the parameters of lipid metabolism in wax-producing glands of the external ear canal we can evaluate the disturbances in lipid metabolism in the lens, which was confirmed by the correlation between fatty acid composition of the earwax and lens nucleus. These data do not demonstrate the dependence of the lens state on earwax, but suggest general features of the process in organs and tissues during aging. Some markers in the blood of patients with cataract change during progress of lens opacity and intensification of brown coloration of lens nucleus, but these changes are inspecific and reflect general activation of peroxidation processes and antioxidant system.