[The role of glycation in cataract lens in diabetic patients]

We measured glycation metabolites in the crystalline lens and the aqueous humor and the vitreous as the surrounding environment of the lens, and evaluated the effects of glycation on cataract lens in diabetic patients. The subjects were classified according to the presence or absence of diabetic mellitus (DM) into a DM group and non-DM group. In each group, glucose, ketoamine, and pentosidine were measured. As a substance associated with glycation, the amount of protein was also determined. In the cataract lens, the glucose and ketoamine values were similar in the two groups, but the pentosidine value was significantly higher in the DM group than in the non-DM group (p < 0.05). In the aqueous humor, the glucose, ketoamine and pentosidine values were similar in the two groups. In the vitreous, the glucose value was similar in the two groups, but the ketoamine and pentosidine values were significantly higher in the DM group (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). The protein value was significantly higher in the vitreous in the DM group (p < 0.05). Thus, definite progression of glycation was observed in the cataract lens and vitreous in the DM group. These results suggest that cataract is advanced by glycation in both the lens and the surrounding environment.