Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “CATARACT”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,027 records · Page 57Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases in the human lens: implications for cortical cataract formation.

PURPOSE: To characterize the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in human cortical cataract and to determine whether there is a correlation with the localization of cortical cataract. To evaluate the expression and activity of MMPs and TIMPs after cytokine and UV-B exposure in a human lens epithelial cell line. METHODS: Twenty-eight human donor eyes with cortical cataract and 21 normal human donor eyes were photographed. Thirteen cortical cataract and six normal lenses were immunohistochemically analyzed for MMP-1, -2, -3, and -9 and TIMP-1, -2, and -3. Twelve fresh cortical cataract and 12 normal lenses were divided into quadrants to quantify, by ELISA, the expression of MMP-1, -2, -3, and -9 and TIMP-1. Three fresh cortical cataract and three control lenses were assessed for MMP-1, -2, and -9 activity by SDS-PAGE zymography. Human lens epithelial cells (HLE-SRA-01/04) were exposed to proinflammatory cytokines and UV-B radiation to determine the protein expression profiles of MMP-1, -2, -3, and -9 and TIMP-1 and -2. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed specific localization of MMP-1 within lens epithelium and cortical lens fibers of cortical cataract. Normal lenses had equally low MMP-1, -2, -3, and -9 and TIMP-1, -2, and -3 immunoreactivity, expression, and activity in all lens quadrants. IL-1 and TNF-alpha upregulated the expression of MMP-2, -3, and -9, and UV-B upregulated the expression of MMP-1 in the SRA-01/04 HLE cell line. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to localize the expression of MMP-1 in cataracts with clinically observed opacification in vivo and to examine the expression induced by UV-B, in vitro.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Lutein and zeaxanthin and the risk of cataract: the Melbourne visual impairment project.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association of cortical, nuclear, or posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataract with dietary intake of lutein-zeaxanthin (LZ) in a population-based sample. METHODS: For the study, 3271 (83% of the eligible residents) permanent residents aged > or =40 years were recruited in 1992 to 1994 via a cluster random sampling. In 1997 to 1999, 2594 (79%) attended the follow-up examination including lens photography, a life-style questionnaire, and a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Cases were those with cortical opacity > or =4/16, nuclear opacity grade > or =2.0, or PSC opacity > or =1 mm2. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios for cataract by daily LZ intake, or its quintile indicator with the lowest quintile as the baseline category, controlling for energy-adjusted fat intake and variables previously found to be associated with the cataract outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 2322 participants who attended the follow-up survey and completed the FFQ, 1841 (79%), 1955 (84%), and 1950 (84%) were included in the analyses of cortical, nuclear, and PSC cataract, respectively. There were 182 (9.9%), 387 (19.8%), and 177 (9.1%) cases for cortical, nuclear, and PSC cataract, respectively. Cortical and PSC cataract were not significantly associated with LZ intake. For nuclear cataract the odds ratios were 0.67 (0.46-0.96) and 0.60 (0.40-0.90) for every 1-mg increase in crude and energy-adjusted daily LZ intake, respectively. The odds ratios (95% CI) for those in the top quintile of crude LZ intake was 0.58 (0.37-0.92; P = 0.023 for trend), and it was 0.64 (0.40-1.03) for energy adjusted LZ intake (P = 0.018 for trend). CONCLUSIONS: This study found an inverse association between high dietary LZ intake and prevalence of nuclear cataract.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Correlation between adult diabetic cataracts and red blood cell aldose reductase levels.

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between adult diabetic cataracts and levels of aldose reductase (AR) in red blood cells (RBCs). METHODS: The study involved 337 eyes of 337 patients with diabetes. The extent and severity of lens opacity was assessed according to the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III). The AR levels within RBCs were determined with an ELISA. The relationship between the AR level in RBCs and the prevalence of nuclear cataract, cortical cataract, and posterior subcapsular cataract in patients with diabetes was examined. RESULTS: There were no significant alterations in AR level in RBCs in patients with a diabetes duration of < or = 10 years and patients < 60 years of age. In each subgroup, a higher amount of AR levels in RBCs significantly correlated with the prevalence of posterior subcapsular cataracts. A significant association between cortical cataract and AR level in RBCs was also seen in a subgroup of patients younger than 60 years. CONCLUSIONS: AR emerges as an important factor affecting the onset of posterior subcapsular cataracts at the early stages of diabetes mellitus. This raises the possibility that AR inhibitors could play a useful role in treatment of adult diabetic cataract through its inhibition of AR activities.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Increased content of zinc and iron in human cataractous lenses.

The purpose of the study was to examine the zinc and iron content of human lenses in different types of cataract and to investigate the possible influence of diabetes on the zinc and iron content of the lens. Iron and zinc of 57 human lenses (28 corticonuclear cataracts and 29 mature cataracts with a mean age of 70.6 +/- 16.1 and 74.7 +/- 11.1 yr, 41 nondiabetics and 16 diabetics) were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The zinc content of human lenses was significantly increased in mature cataracts compared to corticonuclear cataracts (0.51 +/- 0.33 vs 0.32 +/- 0.20 micromol/g dry mass, p=0.012). The iron content of mature cataracts was also higher than in corticonuclear cataracts (0.11 +/- 0.09 vs 0.07 +/- 0.05 micromol/g dry mass, p=0.071). Furthermore, a significant increase of the lens zinc content could be observed with increasing lens coloration (light brown 0.33 +/- 0.17 vs dark brown 0.52 +/- 0.35 micromol/g dry mass, p=0.032). Diabetic patients seem to have both increased zinc and iron contents in the lens compared to nondiabetic subjects (zinc: 0.45 +/- 0.42 vs 0.40 +/- 0.22 micromol/g dry mass; iron: 0.12 +/- 0.10 vs 0.08 +/- 0.05 micromol/g dry mass). These data suggest a possible influence of the lens zinc and iron content on the development of lens opacification. Especially advanced forms of cataract and dark brown colored lenses show significantly increased zinc and iron content.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Antioxidant markers in human senile and diabetic cataractous lenses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of free radicals and antioxidant enzymes in patients suffering from cataract due to aging and diabetes. DESIGN: Experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi from December 2004 to May 2005. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 80 cataract patients. Lens and plasma samples from senile and diabetic subjects suffering from cataract were analyzed and activity of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn-SOD) was measured using xanthine oxidase system. Catalase (CAT) activity was estimated. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured by thiobarbituric acid reaction. Student's t- test was employed for analysis of results. RESULTS: Significant difference (p<0.001) was found in activity of Cu, Zn-SOD in cataract lenses from diabetic patients as compared to senile subjects, CAT activities was also lower (p<0.001) in lenses from diabetic cataract patients when compared to lenses from senile cataractous subjects. Lens MDA levels were significantly higher (p<0.001) in cataract lenses from diabetic patients than in senile subjects. Plasma MDA levels were lowest (p<0.001) in controls as compared to senile and diabetic cataractous patients. CONCLUSION: Results of present study suggest that increased production of high levels of free oxygen species is linked to glucose oxidation and non-enzymatic glycation of proteins. Furthermore, elevated glucose levels might be involved in the insufficiency of antioxidant enzymatic activity and in the progression of lipid peroxidation.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

A longitudinal study of cortical cataracts using retroillumination photographs.

The National Eye Institute (NEI) computer planimetry system has been shown to have good reproducibility in assessing the size of cortical cataracts from retroilluminatin photographs. In this study, we determined the usefulness of this system in monitoring cortical cataract changes over time. Using the Neitz Kawara retroillumination camera, retroillumination photographs of cortical cataracts in 81 eyes were obtained every six months for an average of 31 months. As previously described, the cortical cataract outlines were traced in a masked fashion onto transparent plastic overlays, and the tracings then digitized into a Macintosh Quadra computer using a computer scanner. Cortical cataract area was then determined using a specially developed software program. For each eye, the rate of cortical area change was determined by the slope of the regression line fitted to the follow-up measurements. Cataract progression was classified to be significant if the slope exceeded a critical value. Of the 81 eyes, 24 (30%) had significant cataract progression, while 57 (70%) did not progress. This study presents data on progression of the area of cortical cataracts and suggests the usefulness of the NEI computer planimetry system for monitoring such changes from retroillumination photographs. The slope-based test can also play a useful part in longitudinal studies with irregular time intervals and variable number of visits.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Racial variations in treatment for glaucoma and cataract among Medicare recipients.

PURPOSE: To identify the location of barriers to treatment for glaucoma and cataract among African-American Medicare beneficiaries. METHODS: We examined the receipt of eye care in general and care for glaucoma and cataract in particular among black and white Medicare beneficiaries using 1991 Medicare physician claims data. Racial differences in treatment for glaucoma and cataract were examined both for the Medicare population as a whole and for identified eye care users. The results were compared to the expected value of black-white difference based on population prevalence data for each specific condition. RESULTS: Thirty percent of black beneficiaries and 45% of white Medicare beneficiaries used eye care services in 1991. After adjusting for the expected difference in prevalence, black beneficiaries were half as likely to be surgically treated for glaucoma compared to white beneficiaries, and 80% as likely for cataract. When the analysis was restricted to those using eye care services, blacks continued to have lower than expected rates of treatment for glaucoma (observed RR = 3.2, 95% confidence interval = 3.1-3.4 vs an expected RR of 4.3, 95% confidence interval = 3.5-5.4), but a higher rate of treatment for cataract (RR = 1.2, 95% confidence interval = 1.2-1.3). Among those with physician-diagnosed glaucoma and cataract, blacks were more likely to undergo surgical treatment for these conditions than whites (RR = 1.5 for glaucoma, 95% confidence interval = 1.4-1.5; RR = 1.2 for cataract, 95% confidence interval = 1.2-1.3). CONCLUSION: Barriers to treatment for glaucoma and cataract among black Medicare beneficiaries involve primarily limitations in access to the eye care system. The undertreatment for glaucoma among black beneficiaries was reduced, but not eliminated, after removing the effect of unequal access to the eye care system.

Black or African American↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Congenital cataract: management and results.

The visual outcome in cases of congenital cataract, managed both surgically and conservatively, is outlined. Final vision was better in cases with partial cataract, about 40% of whom attained 6/24 or better vision. With total cataracts, none could achieve this level of vision, with the majority (84%) attaining only 6/60 or less acuity. Visual results were also better in patients without nystagmus, 34% of whom attained 6/24 or better vision, while in cases with nystagmus, only 15% could come up to this level. Cataracts necessitating early surgery had a worse prognosis than cataracts necessitating late surgery. Visual results were best in cases with bilateral cataracts, partial cataracts, absence of associated ocular anomalies, the absence of nystagmus and in patients requiring later surgery. The important causes of nonimprovement of vision were amblyopia and after-cataract. Retinal detachment, retinopathy, and degenerative myopia were some of the less frequent causes of poor vision, while mental retardation was another important factor. Full cooperation from the parents is absolutely essential in the proper visual rehabilitation of the handicapped child.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Myopic shift after cataract removal in childhood.

BACKGROUND: Children who have had cataract removal tend to have decreasing hyperopia (myopic shift) as they grow older. We wondered if the rate of myopic shift could be determined by age at surgery, cataract type, glaucoma, or other factors. METHODS: We studied 156 aphakic eyes of children who had cataract surgery before age 10 and documented refractions for more than 3 years. Refraction was corrected with contact lenses and spectacles; glaucoma was managed with medicine and surgery. Stepwise multiple regression was used to analyze differences in the rate of myopic shift between subgroups. RESULTS: The average refraction tended to follow a logarithmic decline with age (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.97). The average rate of myopic shift (the slope of spectacle plane refraction vs log of age, where age is in years and log is base 10) was -5.5, with a standard deviation of 3.8. Age at surgery had a small but statistically significant effect on the rate (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.04). No other studied factor reached statistical significance. However, among the 86 eyes with cataract removal after age 6 months, age at surgery was not as significant (P = 0.21), and unilateral cataract eyes tended to have a greater rate than bilateral cataract eyes (-7.7 vs -5.7; P = 0.05, R2 = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Aphakic refraction tends to follow a logarithmic decline with age. The rate of myopic shift is determined partly by age at surgery and whether the cataract was unilateral or bilateral, although the effects are small. A wide variation in the rate of myopic shift exists. The following factors made little difference in the rate: cataract type, glaucoma, sex, side, and best corrected visual acuity.

Aging↗
PubMed2006

[Systematic review of population-based studies of the prevalence of cataracts].

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of cataracts has increased due to the progressive ageing of the population and the fact that cataracts affect a wide and increasing proportion of the population. The goal of the present study was to describe the prevalence of cataracts through a systematic and exhaustive review of population-based studies. METHODS: A systematic review of population-based studies of the prevalence and incidence of cataracts was performed. Inclusion criteria were: a healthy non- institutionalised population, older than 40 years of age, of white race, with a sample size of greater than 1,000 and published between 1980 and 2002. RESULTS: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria (3 European, 5 from the United States and 2 from Australia), and were performed between 1984 and 2001. The cataract prevalence, according to lens opacity criteria, ranged between 15% and 19%. When the cataract was defined as a lens opacity combined with a decreased visual acuity, the prevalence ranged from 15% to 30%. The overall prevalence increased with age, reaching 40% and more than 60% in populations older than 70 and 75 years respectively. The prevalence among women was higher than that among men, with a more marked increase being evident at older ages than for men. CONCLUSIONS: There were variations among the criteria used to measure the prevalence of cataract, which made it difficult to compare all the studies. Overall the prevalence was higher in the older population, especially among women. The increasing prevalence associated with age predicts an increasing burden of cataract to health services, this being particularly related to the ageing of the population.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The efficacy of a nurse-led preoperative cataract assessment and postoperative care clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the implementation of a nurse-led preoperative cataract assessment and postoperative care clinic and to assess the safety, efficacy and outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A prospective study involving 185 public patients (221 eyes) referred to the Department of Ophthalmology at Flinders Medical Centre for cataract surgery. The study was conducted between February 2003 and August 2004. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were assessed in the nurse-led preoperative assessment clinic. Those deemed suitable for cataract surgery were also assessed by an ophthalmologist and underwent cataract surgery if appropriate. The nurse managed postoperative care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Concordance between nurse practitioner and ophthalmologist assessments; waiting times for first clinic appointment and surgery; visual acuity and degree of visual disability; patient satisfaction. RESULTS: 114 patients (61.6%) were assigned to see the ophthalmologist for cataract surgery. Median waiting times fell from 115 days (range, 23-268 days) to 21 days (range, 9-43 days) for initial clinic appointment, and from 44 days (range, 5-148 days) to 29 days (range, 14-154 days) for surgery. All 114 patients were listed for cataract surgery, and surgery had been performed on 121 eyes by the end of the study. After surgery, visual acuity improved by a mean of 0.45 logMAR (logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution) (SD, 0.24; range, 0.08-1.32). All patients had improved visual ability and high levels of satisfaction. Three quality assurance evaluations demonstrated full concordance between nurse and ophthalmologist assessments. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a nurse-led cataract assessment clinic improved access to care for public patients with cataracts. The safety and efficacy of the program and its excellent visual and patient-centred outcomes commend its adaptation and implementation to other ophthalmology departments.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Changing trends in cataract surgery in Singapore.

AIM OF STUDY: To determine the incidence of cataract surgery in Singapore, both island-wide as well as at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC). We also evaluated the changing techniques of cataract surgery performed locally. METHODS: We analysed all cataract operations performed in Singapore over a 10-year period from 1985 to 1996 using data obtained from Medisave claims. We also analysed data of all cataract operations in SNEC between 1992 and 1996 retrospectively, with emphasis on patient demographics and the changing surgical techniques. RESULTS: Data from Medisave claims revealed a significant increase in cataract operations from 5,679 in 1986 to 12,177 in 1995. There was a similar increase in SNEC with a rise from 3,714 in 1992 to 7,516 in 1996. This increase was disproportionately greater than the increase in the number of local surgeons over the same period. The incidence of cataract surgery rose from 2.25/1,000 in 1986 to 4.02/1,000 in 1995. Patients older than 60 years accounted for 75% of cases, with a rise in patients older than 80 years from 2.73% in 1992 to 11.43% in 1996. SNEC data showed that the incidence of phacoemulsification rose from 1% in 1992 to 25% in 1996. CONCLUSION: There is a rising incidence of cataract surgery in Singapore, particularly in the elderly population. There is also a significant change in the pattern of cataract surgery with a sharp rise in the incidence of phacoemulsification over the last 5 years. These findings have an impact on future planning considerations regarding ophthalmic manpower and resources in Singapore.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Changes in cytoskeletal proteins in childhood cataract lenses].

PURPOSE: Approximately 50% of congenital and childhood cataract seen in the clinic is of undetermined origin. Biochemical analysis of the cataracts is rare. This study analyzes lens proteins to determine the mechanism of congenital and childhood cataracts. METHOD: We analyzed the lens proteins from 10 young patients after cataract operations, using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), densitometry analysis, and western immunoblotting. RESULTS: Densitometry of separated proteins showed a decrease in the high molecular protein bands of posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC). Specifically, spectrin (235 kDa), filensin (100 kDa), and vimentin (57 kDa) were absent from the SDS-PAGE of PSC. Increases in filensin and vimentin were observed in a Christmas tree cataract and lamellar cataracts. Western immunoblots confirmed the densitometry of SDS-PAGE. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that changes in cytoskeletal proteins may contribute to congenital and childhood cataract.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Increased expression of osteonectin/SPARC mRNA and protein in age-related human cataracts and spatial expression in the normal human lens.

PURPOSE: We have previously reported increased levels of Osteonectin/SPARC transcript in age-related cataractous compared to normal human lenses. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the corresponding levels of osteonectin/SPARC protein in age-related cataractous relative to normal lenses and to evaluate the levels of osteonectin/SPARC transcript in specific types of age-related human cataracts. The spatial expression of osteonectin/SPARC was also evaluated in normal human lenses. METHODS: Specific types of age-related cataracts were collected and graded. Normal human lenses were microdissected into epithelia and fibers. Osteonectin/SPARC protein levels were monitored by Western immunoblotting, and transcript levels were evaluated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Osteonectin/SPARC expression patterns were examined by RT-PCR and by immunostaining. RESULTS: Higher levels of osteonectin/SPARC protein were detected in age-related cataractous relative to normal human lenses. Increased levels of osteonectin/SPARC transcript were also detected in posterior-subcapsular and nuclear cataractous lenses relative to normal lenses. Osteonectin/SPARC transcripts were detected in the lens epithelium but not fibers. Osteonectin/SPARC protein levels were highest in the peripheral lens epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with our previous studies on osteonectin/SPARC mRNA levels, osteonectin/SPARC protein levels were also elevated in cataractous compared to normal human lenses. Increased levels of osteonectin/SPARC mRNA were also found in nuclear and posterior-subcapsular cataracts relative to normal lenses. Osteonectin/SPARC expression is confined to the lens epithelium, and osteonectin/SPARC levels are highest in the peripheral lens epithelium.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Transition metal-catalyzed oxidation of ascorbate in human cataract extracts: possible role of advanced glycation end products.

PURPOSE: With age, human lens crystallins become more pigmented, oxidized, modified by ascorbate oxidation and advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and bind copper. The hypothesis was tested that the major AGE and ascorbylation product in the human lens, N(epsilon)-carboxymethyl-L-lysine (CML), has an EDTA-like structure, which may predispose it to bind redox active copper. METHODS: Young, old, and cataractous human lens protein fractions were glycated with ascorbic acid and tested for their ability to bind Cu(II) by atomic absorption spectroscopy and oxidize (14C1)-ascorbate by radiometric thin-layer chromatography method. AGEs were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). CML-rich proteins were immunoprecipitated from young, old, and cataractous crystallins using affinity-purified CML antibody and tested for their ability to oxidize ascorbate and generate hydroxyl radicals in the presence of H2O2 using 5,5'-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) spin-trap and EPR spectroscopy. RESULTS: Ascorbate oxidizing activity at 24 hours of native crystallins was significantly increased in both the water soluble (WS; P < 0.001) and insoluble (WIS; P < 0.05) fractions from cataractous and normal lenses. The chelator DTPA completely prevented oxidation up to 24 hours of incubation but less effectively thereafter. Mean endogenous Cu content in pooled young, old, and cataract fractions increased from 0.016 to 0.026 nmol/mg protein, respectively, in WS (P < 0.05) and WIS (P < 0.001) fractions, and Cu(II) binding was 20% to 30% increased in cataractous versus old and young lenses in WS (P < 0.01) and WIS (P < 0.001) fractions. Mean levels of the AGEs, CML, and pentosidine were markedly elevated in WS and WIS fractions from cataractous versus old or young crystallins (20% to severalfold, P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). In a separate experiment, protein-bound Fe was not elevated. Crystallins ascorbylated in vitro showed an increase in CML as well as Cu(II) binding. CML-rich proteins (immunoprecipitated from cataractous lenses) oxidized ascorbate approximately 4 times faster than similar proteins from young and old normal lenses (P < 0.01) and generated hydroxyl radicals in the presence of H2O2 and DMPO. CONCLUSIONS: The association between CML formation, copper binding, and generation of free radicals by cataractous lens crystallins can be duplicated by ascorbylation in vitro. These effects are only in part attributable to CML itself, and other modifications (AGEs, conformational changes) may participate in the process. A vicious cycle between AGE formation, lipoxidation, and metal binding may exist in the aging lens, suggesting that chelation therapy could be beneficial in delaying cataractogenesis.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed2000

Baseline self-reported cataract and subsequent mortality in Physicians' Health Study I.

PURPOSE: To examine whether a reported history of cataract, a possible marker of aging, is associated with future mortality. METHODS: Participants were 18,669 of the 22,071 U.S. male physicians enrolled in the Physicians' Health Study I who had complete information at study entry, including self-report of presence or absence of baseline cataract. Participants were without a previous history of myocardial infarction, stroke, transient cerebral ischemia, or cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer). Reported deaths were confirmed by an End Points Committee of physicians. RESULTS: A total of 581 participants reported a personal history of cataract at baseline. During an average of 12.4 years of follow-up, there were 1,514 deaths including 496 due to cardiovascular (CV) and 1,018 due to non-CV causes. After adjustment for differences in age, men who reported cataract at baseline had a non-significant 9% increased risk of death from any cause compared to men who did not report cataract (RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.91-1.30). The RRs were 1.03 (95% CI, 0.75-1.41) for CV death and 1.12 (95% CI, 0.90-1.40) for non-CV death. Adjustment for other risk factors had little effect on these estimates. Similar results were obtained in analyses conducted separately among those with and without self-reported diabetes at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: These results from a population of generally healthy physicians indicate that a report of a history of cataract is not associated with any material increase in mortality after adjustment for differences in age between men with and without cataract. Additional investigation of this cohort is in progress to determine whether incident age-related cataracts as well as their subtypes, confirmed by medical record review, are associated with increased mortality.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Argpyrimidine, a blue fluorophore in human lens proteins: high levels in brunescent cataractous lenses.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the human lens contains argpyrimidine, a modification of arginine by methylglyoxal, to establish how argpyrimidine content relates to lens aging and cataract formation. METHODS: A monoclonal antibody was used to measure argpyrimidine by a competitive ELISA in water soluble (WS) and insoluble (WI) lens fractions from young, aged, nuclear cataractous, and brunescent cataractous lenses. Brunescent cataractous lens proteins were digested by enzymes, the digest was subjected to HPLC, and the eluate was analyzed for argpyrimidine. Lens proteins from aged lenses (from donors 65 to 80 years of age) were fractionated on a Sephadex G-200 column, and the crystallins were tested for argpyrimidine. RESULTS: The competitive ELISA showed two to three times as much argpyrimidine in water-insoluble proteins as in water-soluble proteins. Although no clear cut increase with the age of the lens donors in either the water-soluble or the insoluble protein fractions was found, the argpyrimidine levels in brunescent cataractous lenses were significantly higher (254.0 +/- 155 pmol/mg protein, P < 0.005) than in age-matched, aged (16.1 +/- 8 pmol/mg) or nuclear cataractous lenses (49.0 +/- 26 pmol/mg). Lenses from diabetic individuals showed a modest increase (50.3 pmol/mg) compared with age-matched normal lenses. HPLC results provided additional evidence that human lenses contain argpyrimidine. Western blotting experiments showed consistently stronger reactions with cataractous lens proteins than those from noncataractous lenses, and argpyrimidine was found in both crystallin monomers and polymers. All crystallins and several cross-linked high-molecular-weight aggregates reacted with the antibody to argpyrimidine, but a protein of approximately 28 kDa in the alpha-crystallin fraction displayed the greatest immunoreactivity. CONCLUSIONS: Methylglyoxal modifies arginine within the human lens, and the changes occur at a much higher rate in brunescent lens proteins than in either nuclear cataractous or normal lenses. All crystallins contained argpyrimidine and covalently cross-linked aggregates. This is the first report of immunologic evidence for an arginine modification in the human lens by a physiologically important alpha-dicarbonyl compound.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Expression of vimentin in lens epithelial cells of age-related cataract].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of vimentin in the lens epithelial cells and superficial cortex of age-related cataract. METHODS: Twenty-six paraformaldehyde-fixed flat preparations of human lens epithelium attached to the anterior capsule and obtained during extracapsular cataract extraction were studied. Of these, 22 were studied and compared to the 10 samples from normal lenses with antibody to vimentin by avidinbiotinylated peroxidase complex (ABC) method and observed with a light microscope, and 6 (4 cataractous and 2 normal) were used for pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy. Vimentin in superficial layers (epithelium and superficial cortex) of 4 cataractous lenses were analysed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and Western blot method. RESULTS: The average gray level values for expression of vimentin were 143.84 +/- 8.52 and 134.87 +/- 14.27 in cataract and normal group, respectively (t = 2.0948, P < 0.05). Ultrastructure of epithelial cells showed a decrease of intermediate filaments, accumulation of vimentin in bundle and organelle degeneration. Vimentin was identified in the superficial layers of normal and immature cataractous lenses by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. In another two mature cataractous lenses, little vimentin was detected. CONCLUSION: Decrease of vimentin may be initiated by damage to the epithelial cells leading to degradation of cytoskeleton, and appears to be related with the formation of age-related cataract.

Adult↗