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Published on: January 12, 2024
Role of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in cataractogenesis in type 2 diabetic patients
Younhea Jung1, Man Soo Kim, Choun-Ki Joo
1From 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.
Purpose:
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).
Setting:
St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
Design:
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.
Conclusion:
The intrinsic apoptotic pathway may be associated with diabetic cataract in patients with type 2 DM.
Financial Disclosure:
No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
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