Correlation of Cataract with Serum Lipids, Glucose and Antioxidant Activities: A Case-control Study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between cataract development and serum lipids, glucose as well as antioxidants in a case-control study. Methods: Ninety patients with cataract and 90 age-and sex-matched healthy controls were investigated. Lipid profiles including triglyceride (Tg), total serum cholesterol (Chol) and cholesterol content in high-density lipoproteins (HDL chol) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL chol) as well as fasting glucose (FBS) were measured for all subjects. Plasma oxidative stress as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and the status of antioxidants were studied as ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and thiol substance assay. Results: A higher prevalence of abnormal FBS (8.9 vs 1.1%), Tg (26.7 vs 8.9%) and Chol (54.4 vs 30%) was found in cataract patients than the control group (p < 0.05). Plasma Tg (p = 0.02), Chol (p = 0.001) and LDL chol (p = 0.04) were significantly higher in the cataract group than in the control group. Likewise TBARS (p = 0.05) as the level of oxidative stress was significantly higher in the case group, and FRAP (p = 0.03) and thiol (p = 0.02) assays as the antioxidant activity was significantly lower among cataract patients. Conclusion: This study has shown that hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, high LDL chol and high FBS are associated with cataract. Also lower plasma antioxidant levels and higher levels of oxidative stress were seen in cataract patients than healthy controls. These findings indicate a need for health promotional activities aimed at controlling these preventable factors among high risk populations.

Risk factors of age‐related cataract in a Chinese adult population: the Taizhou Eye Study

“…Additionally, high LDL was an independent risk factor for nuclear cataract (OR: 1.19, P = 0.047), but LDL and HDL were not associated with cortical cataract. Previous studies have also reported the associations between high LDL and low HDL levels and cataract . In the Beaver Dam Eye Study and the Framingham Offspring Heart Study, low HDL was associated with cortical cataract and PSC, respectively.…”

“…[35][36][37][38][39] In the Beaver Dam Eye Study 36 and the Framingham Offspring Heart Study, 37 low HDL was associated with cortical cataract and PSC, respectively. Other studies have also found that high LDL 39 and high LDL:HDL ratios 38 were significantly associated with cataract. Oxidative damage and inflammation resulting from abnormal serum cholesterol levels might be the underlying cause of the cataract.…”

Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction across Broad-Ranging Pathologies: Toward Mitochondria-Targeted Clinical Strategies

“…Patents with cataract display excess lipid peroxidation (TBARS) with decreased thiol levels and ferric reducing/antioxidant power; moreover, an increase in dehydroascorbate/ascorbate ratio was observed [284, 285]. A study of polymorphisms of SOD-1, CAT, and GPx genes in cataract patients found that G/G genotype of the SOD-1 (251A/G polymorphism) was associated with an increased risk of cataract [286].…”

Hypercholesterolemia-induced ocular disorder: Ameliorating role of phytotherapy

“…It is developed in the crystalline lens of the eye in various degrees; from complete opacity to obstructing the passage of light. Lens opacity was detected in hypercholesterolemic patients with or without ischemic heart disease [73,74] and those with elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides [75]. Human lens membranes were found to possess the highest cholesterol content with biological importance.…”

“…Hypercholesterolemic patients were found to develop cataractous lens [150] associated with increased oxidative stress and depletion of antioxidants [151].…”