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The oxidative stress in cataract patients
Jaskiran Kaur1, Sahiba Kukreja, Amandeep Kaur
1Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research , Amritsar, India.
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research : JCDR
|February 2, 2013
Summary
Oxidative stress significantly contributes to cataract development. Increased lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and decreased antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPX) were observed in cataract patients, suggesting their role in lens degeneration.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biochemistry
- Oxidative Stress Research
Background:
- Cataract formation is increasingly linked to systemic oxidative stress.
- Investigating oxidative stress markers in blood is crucial for understanding cataractogenesis.
- Antioxidant therapies may offer a strategy to delay age-related cataract onset and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess oxidative stress in cataract patients by measuring lipid peroxidation products and antioxidant enzyme levels.
- To evaluate the potential of plasma Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) as biomarkers for lens degeneration.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 100 age-matched participants (50 with cataracts, 50 controls) aged 45-75.
- Measurement of serum Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) as a marker of lipid peroxidation.
- Assay of antioxidant enzymes, including Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX), in blood samples.
Main Results:
- Cataract patients exhibited significantly higher serum levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product (p<0.001).
- Blood levels of antioxidant enzymes, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX), were significantly lower in patients with cataracts.
- Elevated plasma TBARS correlated with cataract presence, indicating increased oxidative stress.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the initiation and progression of cataracts.
- Increased serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, GPX) are characteristic of cataract patients.
- Plasma TBARS serve as reliable biomarkers for assessing oxidative stress-related lens degeneration.
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