Systemic Redox Modifications in Senile Cataract

BOGDANA VRGOLICI
1
, IRINA STOIAN
1
, CORINA MUSCUREL
1
,
MAGDA MRCINE
1
, LAURA POPESCU
1
, C. MORARU
2
, VERONICA DINU
1
1
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
2
Ophthalmic Surgery Department of Oculus Clinic, Bucharest
Recent studies on cataract formation focus on a primary role of systemic oxidative stress,
generated outside the lens. Plasma inflammatory markers are associated with senile cataract.
Objective. The aim of this study was to find correlations between blood oxidative stress
markers and some inflammatory plasma markers in cataractous patients.
Design and Methods. The blood samples were collected from 38 patients (aged 50 to 80).
Patients were subdivided according to two criteria. Considering age criteria, presenile and senile
cataract groups were formed. According to the absence or presence of other ocular comorbidities
(agerelated macular degeneration, glaucoma), pure cataract and nonpure cataract groups were
constituted. Fifteen age and sex matched healthy subjects were selected for the control group.
Results. In our study, for all groups of patients, the measured markers of oxidative stress were
modified vs. control values. Plasma antioxidant capacity, plasma antioxidant gap, cholesterol and
albumin/globulin levels were significantly decreased while RBC SOD activity, RBC catalase activity
and plasma ceruloplasmin were significantly increased. Inflammatory markers, ceruloplasmin and
albumin/globulins were correlated with different parameters of oxidative stress.
Conclusion. The blood redox values and the level of some inflammatory markers demonstrate
that senile cataract is a systemic disease with an inflammatory component.
Key words: senile cataract, oxidative stress, inflammation, systemic disease.
Cataract is one of the major causes of blindness
throughout the world [1]. Understanding the
mechanisms of cataractogenesis will lead to a better
therapy. It is estimated that the need for cataract
extractions would be diminished by half if onset of
cataract would be delayed by only ten years [2].
Oxidative stress continues to be the leading
mechanism of cataractogenesis. The lens exists in
an environment that is rich in endogenous sources
of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are
produced by the high local oxygen concentration,
the chronic exposure to light, and the pathogenic
activities of lens epithelial cells.
Although multiple physiologic defenses exist
to protect the lens from the toxic effects of light
and oxidative damage, mounting evidence suggests
that chronic exposure to oxidative stress over the
long-term may damage the lens and predispose it to
cataract development [3].
J.J. Harding proposes a variety of factors
implicated in maturity onset cataractogenesis: a low
antioxidant defense capacity, a high lipid peroxidation,
augmented nonenzymic glycosylation, a reduced
chaperone function of alpha-crystallins and an
increased permeability of lens membrane. There are a
few arguments for these statements: low levels of
reduced glutathione and reduced activity of antioxidant
enzymes, high content of sugar phosphates in lens
which are reactive glycating molecules, altered
structure of alpha-crystallins with diminished
chaperone function, membranes lesions with loss
of gap junctions and an increased flux through
nonspecific cation channels [4].
Some theories of oxidative stress in senile
cataract are based on the generation of reactive
oxygen species and reactive molecules within the
nucleus itself. Truscott considers that the lens barrier,
which becomes apparent in middle age, acts to
impede the flow of small molecules between the
cortex and the nucleus. The barrier may contribute to
the lowered concentration of reduced glutathione
(GSH) in the lens nucleus after middle age. By
extending the residence time within the lens centre,
the barrier also facilitates the decomposition of
intrinsically unstable metabolites and may exacerbate
the formation of H(2)O(2) in the nucleus [5].
ROM. J. INTERN. MED., 2009, 47, 3, 279287
Bogdana Vrgolici et al. 2

280
However, many studies on cataract formation
focus on a primary role of systemic oxidative
stress, generated outside the lens. We mention
some of their conclusions:
subjects with early cataract are under increased
systemic oxidative stress, which can be identified
by a sensitive biomarker of lipid peroxidation,
such as isomers of total hydroxyoctadecadienoic
acid (HODE) [6].
patients with cataract have lower values of
serum investigated parameters of antioxidative
defense system (ascrobate, dehydroascorbate,
vitamin E, glutathione, peroxidase and catalase
activity) and higher level of plasma lipid
peroxidation product [7].
cataractous patients had significantly lower
whole blood GSH values, erythrocyte superoxide
dismutase (SOD) activity and higher plasma
thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)
than those in the control group [8].
In order to underline the importance of
redox blood modification on the lens, we mention
two studies:
Street et al. found an association between
atherosclerosis and cataract, which was strongest for
people aged 6569 years; they raised the question of
whether a deficiency in the natural defenses against
free radicals contributes to the development of both
cataract and atherosclerosis [9].
Stahl et al. demonstrated that the regulation
of the glutathione system in the eye, at least in
aqueous humor, is dependent on plasma glutathione
levels; this correlation reflects the importance of
sufficient glutathione levels in venous plasma and
suggests the possibility of modulating the glutathione
system in the eye via manipulation of plasma
glutathione levels [10].
Within the strategy to maintain redox balance
against oxidant conditions, blood has a central role
because it transports and redistributes antioxidants
to each part of the body.
Nonenzymatic antioxidants such as: albumin,
uric acid, bilirubin, glutathione (GSH), ascorbic
acid, -tocopherol, -carotene, and flavonoids
constitute the first line of antioxidant defense
systems of the blood. Among the red blood cells
(RBC) enzyme systems (the second antioxidant
defense systems), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase
(CAT) are very important.
Plasma antioxidant capacity (AC) is modulated
either by radical overload or by intake of dietary
antioxidants and can therefore be regarded as more
representative of the in vivo balance between
oxidizing species and antioxidant compounds than
the concentration of single, selected low molecular
antioxidant.
The aim of our study was to measure some
plasma and red blood cell oxidative stress markers in
cataractous patients. Correlations between these markers
and some inflammatory ones were calculated.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The patients were recruited from the ophthalmic
surgery department of Oculus Clinic, Bucharest.
The blood samples were collected from 38 patients
(aged 50 to 80) with cataract, without metabolic or
severe somatic diseases and from 15 age and sex
matched healthy subjects. Smokers and alcohol
consumers were excluded from the study. Because
of the advanced age, most of the patients had
different associated illnesses: high blood pressure,
hearing loss, other ocular age related diseases, etc.
Patients were subdivided according two criteria.
Considering age criteria, presenile and senile
cataract groups were formed. According to the
absence or presence of other ocular comorbidities
(agerelated macular degeneration, glaucoma), pure
cataract and nonpure cataract (cataract associated
with other ocular diseases) groups were constituted.
Blood samples were taken into 10 ml vacutaine
tubes, containing heparin, from a peripheral vein after
12 hours of fasting and drugs break. The study
protocol was approved by the Ethical Commission of
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Bucharest and a written informed consent was
obtained from each study participant.
Plasma total cholesterol, uric acid, bilirubin
and glucose were analyzed by enzymatic methods,
using kits (Human Gesellschaft fr Biochemica
und Diagnostica mbH, Wiesbaden Germany). For
total proteins and albumin we used kits from the
same source.
Protein thiols in plasma were measured by a
colorimetric method. We measured the absorption at
412nm of acids formed in the reaction between the
-SH groups and 5-5-dithiobis-nitrobenzoic acid [11].
The plasma thiobarbituric acid-reacting
substances (TBARS) were determined by thio-
barbituric acid reaction at 540 nm [12].
The globulins were calculated by the difference
between total plasma proteins and albumin.
3 Systemic redox modifications in cataract 281
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was
measured in erythrocytes by the spectrophotometric
method described by Marklund S., [13]. The inhibition
of pyrogallol oxidation by SOD was monitored at
420 nm, and the amount of enzyme producing 50%
inhibition is defined as one unit of enzyme activity.
Erythrocyte catalase activity was determined
by using hydrogen peroxide as a substrate, at
240nm [14].
Plasma total antioxidant capacity (AC) was
determined by Miller et al. method and the antioxidant
gap was calculated according to the equation: (GAP) =
AC (mmol/l) [albumin (mmol/l) X 0.69 + uric acid
(mmol/l) X 1)] [15].
The plasma ceruloplasmin level determination
was based on the o-dianisidine dihydrochloride end-
point method [16].
The hemoglobin quantity was measured using
the Drabkin method.
The results were analyzed statistically using
Student test. Data are expressed as mean s.d.
Two-tailed p-values <0.05 were considered statistically
significant. The relationship between the various
parameters was assessed by correlation (multiple
regression).
RESULTS
The characteristics of the groups are shown in
Table I.
The assessed parameters of oxidative stress
are shown in Table II.
Table I
Parameter Healthy subjects
(n=15 )
Presenile cataract
group (n=15)
Senile cataract
group (n=23)
Pure cataract
group (n=25)
Cataract associated with
other ocular illnesses (n=13)
Age (years) 57.186.6 57.275.9 73.124.6
p<0.02 vs. 1
68.948.17 70.59,06
Sex (male/female) 5/10 5/10 8/15 9/16 4/9
Type of cataract:
SC/NC/NC+PSC/CC/MC

1/6/6/1/1

2/5/8/1/7

2/7/9/2/5

1/4/5/0/3
SC/NC/NC+PSC/CC/MC = Subcapsular cataract/Nuclear cataract/nuclear and posterior subcapsular cataract/cortical cataract/mixt
cataract
Table II
Plasma parameter Healthy controls
n=15 (group M)
Presenile cataract
group n=15
(group 1)
Senile cataract
group n=23
(group2)
Pure cataract
group n=25
(group B)
Cataract associated
with other ocular
illnesses n=13
(Group C)
Plasma thiols
(mol/g protein)
7.370.7 7.550.54 6.710.63
p<0.02 vs. 1
6.980.55 7.050.73
Plasma TBARS (mol/l) 2.180.59 3.420.63
p<0.01 vs. M
2.390.67
p<0.02 vs. group1
3.030.65 3.010.62
Plasma cholesterol
[mg/dl]
243.4546.85 200.6833.49
p<0.04 vs. M
224.0457 232.3556.69 192.5335.95
p<0.05 vs. Group B
p<0.001 vs. M
Plasma albumin [g/dl] 4.520.33 4.110.27
p<0.002 vs. M
4.250.22
p<0.01 vs. M
4.040.42
p<0.004 vs. M
p<0.04 vs.
groupC
4.330.29
Plasma proteins [g/dl] 7.510.49 7.550.20 8.010.39
p<0.01 vs. group1
p<0.025 vs. M
7.880.33 7.740.49
Plasma bilirubin [mg/dl] 0.470.17 0.490.13 0.540.15 0.460.16 0.620.19
p<0.05 vs. group B
Plasma uric acid [mg/dl] 4.050.44 3.770.59 4.410.48
p<0.02 vs. group1
p<0.03 vs. M
4.160.89 4.130.62
Total antioxidant
capacity [mM Trolox]
0.870.12 0.740.08
p<0.01 vs. M
0.750.07
p<0.01 vs. M
0.740.09
p<0.01 vs. M
0.750.05
p<0.01 vs. M
Plasma residual
antioxidant capacity
[mM]
0.210.04 0.0930.03
p<0.005 vs. M
0.0870.03
p<0.001 vs. M
0.120.03
p<0.04 vs. M
0.060.01
p<0.01 vs. Group B
p<0.001 vs. M
Bogdana Vrgolici et al. 4

282
Plasma globulins [g/dl] 3.300.64 3.440.29 3.760.37
p<0.03 vs. M
3.820.17
p<0.03 vs. M
p<0.04 vs.
groupC
3.410.23
Albumin/globulins 1.420.26 1.210.17 1.130.11
p<0.026 vs. M
1.090.16
p<0.01 vs.
groupC
p<0.004 vs. M
1.260.12
p<0.05 vs. M
Plasma ceruloplasmin
[UI/l]
276.69107.43 375.88168.81
p<0.03 vs. M
396.57128.59
p<0.01 vs. M
390.31117.66
p<0.01 vs. M
386.98134.99
p<0.02 vs. M
RBC SOD [UI/g Hb] 409.8258.84 470.07111.75
p<0.05 vs. M
469.46107.56
p<0.05 vs. M
398.3393.77 514.04104.26
p<0.001 vs.group B
p<0.005 vs. M
RBC Catalase [kat/g Hb] 146.9568.2 235.8289
p<0.02 vs. M
253.13137.54
p<0.01 vs. M
263.99129.2
p<0.01 vs. M
251.0889.13
p<0.01 vs. M
Plasma glucose [mg/dl] 95.6112.27 98.4910.46 96.1810.15 95.9312.3 96.119.55

The correlations between blood oxidative markers and inflammatory markers are shown in Tables III and IV.
Table III
r value
Correlated parameters
Presenile cataract
group (n=15)
Senile cataract group
(n=23)
Plasma thiols [mol/g protein] Plasma globulins [mg/dl] 0.76 0.47
Plasma TBARS [nmols/ml] Plasma globulins [mg/dl] +0.53
Plasma albumin [mg/dl] Plasma cholesterol [mg/dl] +0.58
Plasma albumin [mg/dl} Plasma TBARS [nmols/ml] 0.72
Plasma cholesterol [mg/dl] Plasma TBARS [nmols/ml] 0.65
Plasma ceruloplasmin [UI/l] Plasma globulins [mg/dl] +0.74
Plasma ceruloplasmin [UI/l] Albumin/globulins 0.68
Plasma TBARS [nmol/ml [kat/g Hb] +0.58 +0.52
RBC SOD [UI/l] Plasma globulins [mg/dl] +0.55
RBC Catalase [kat/g Hb] Plasma globulins [mg/dl] +0.80
Table IV
r value
Correlated parameters
Pure cataract group
(n=22)
Non-pure cataract
group (n=16)
Plasma globulins [mg/dl] Plasma thiols [mol/gprotein] 0.48
Plasma cholesterol [mg/dl] Plasma TBARS [nmol/ml] +0.48 0.56
Plasma albumin [mg/dl] Plasma Bilirubin [mg/dl] +0.47
Plasma albumin [mg/dl] RBC SOD [UI/l] 0.63
Plasma albumin [mg/dl] Plasma cholesterol [mg/dl] +0.64

DISCUSSION
The recognition of cataract in a growing number
of systemic diseases and syndromes has necessarily
prompted investigation into unifying mechanisms
[17]. Oxidative stress may be one of them.
Also, human cataract in older age groups
seems to be due to an accumulation of risk factors,
even if individual mean concentrations are
well within normal limits but, of course, differing
significantly from the corresponding means in
control population [18]. Case-control studies
showed that nuclear cataract was significantly
associated with raised serum bilirubin and that all
forms of cataract are significantly associated with
raised plasma albumin and reduced levels of
cholesterol [1820].
5 Systemic redox modifications in cataract 283
Conflicting results concerning different levels
for plasma antioxidant capacity and erythrocyte
antioxidant systems in cataractous patients can be
found in literature [2124].
In our study, for all groups of patients, the
measured markers of oxidative stress were modified
vs. control values. Plasma AC, plasma antioxidant
gap, cholesterol and albumin/globulin levels were
significantly decreased and RBC SOD activity, RBC
catalase activity and plasma ceruloplasmin were
significantly increased. Each of these parameters was
to be discussed.
Human lens membranes have the highest
cholesterol content of any known biological membrane.
Exogenous sources of cholesterol are essential for
the lens. Hockwin et al., working on bovine eye,
demonstrated a direct relation between the plasma
and aqueous humor cholesterol concentrations [25].
Disturbances in cholesterol homeostasis may
result in cell damage by a variety of mechanisms:
membrane ionic pumps, electrolytic imbalance and
calcium homeostasis.
The low serum levels of cholesterol together
with the high plasma levels of TBARS, obtained in
patients aged 5065 years, may be responsible for
the early onset of senile cataract.
Knowing that cholesterol rises with age and
despite the age difference between the control
group and the group with cataract associated with
ocular comorbidities, it is interesting to notice that
plasma cholesterol was significantly lower in the
patient group. High statistical power studies have
demonstrated that all forms of cataract are
associated with low plasma cholesterol while
patients with age-related maculopathy have no
significant differences of plasma cholesterol level
vs. control subjects [26].
Positive correlations between plasma levels of
albumin and cholesterol and negative correlations
between TBARS either with albumin or cholesterol
were calculated. Albumin and cholesterol may be
oxidized in conditions of increased oxidative stress
reflected by high levels of TBARS.
It is known that oxidation of the protein thiol
groups, especially the ones from serum albumin, is
a sensible and specific oxidative stress marker in
the vascular compartment [27]. Albumin inhibits
oxidative damage by binding copper ions and it can
react with H
2
O
2
and HOCl.
In this study, for all four groups of patients,
the low levels for albumin, the high values for
globulins, and the low albumin/globulin ratio can
be explained in an inflammatory context. Senile
cataract can be considered an illness with a low grade
inflammatory status. It is known that inflammation is
characterized by oxidative reactions and generation of
high oxygen reactive species. Also, the negative
correlations between plasma total thiols and globulins
represent an argument for a relation between
inflammation (high globulins) and the plasma
antioxidant defense (consumption of plasma thiols).
The association of systemic inflammation and senile
cataract has been demonstrated in recent studies.
Elevated levels of CRP are associated with future risk
of cataract in apparently healthy men [28]) and two
serum markers of systemic inflammation and vascular
endothelial dysfunction (interleukin-6 and intracellular
adhesion molecule-1) are associated with nuclear
cataract [29].
Donnelly et al. measured plasma constituents
in a population of 1000 pairs (healthy and
cataractous patients), with strict control of age in
matched pair protocol. The investigators found
high levels of albumin and of total protein in the
cataract group. The significant lower albumin/
(total protein-albumin) ratio, (an approximation for
albumin/globulin ratio) may imply an increase in
globulin, suggestive of possible (chronic) infection
in patients with senile cataract [14, 30]. Leske et al.
and Schoenfeld et al. obtained similar results
and both research teams reported that a high
albumin/globulin ratio decreased risk for mixed
cataract [31][32].
The positive correlation, calculated in this
study, between globulins and plasma ceruloplasmin
is not surprising in an inflammatory status. Maybe
the raised globulin level is due to the high 2
globuline fraction (including ceruloplasmin).
Human plasma normally contains 200400 mg/l
of caeruloplasmin, accounting for at least 90% of
total plasma copper. The remaining plasma copper
is often claimed to consist of copper ions bound to
albumin, histidine or small peptides. Caeruloplasmin
is increased greatly in the acute phase reaction and it
has also a ferrroxidase activity: it oxidizes Fe
2+
to Fe
3+

and can facilitate iron loading on to transferrin [33].
Increased plasma level of caeruloplasmin was
found in patients with senile cataract and in
galactosaemic children with cataract and without
cataract [34][35]. Maybe this enzyme is induced by
reactive oxidative species and its high level is in
accordance with the raised PCR level observed in
cataractous patients. We emphasize that the high
ceruloplasmin values obtained in this study may
Bogdana Vrgolici et al. 6

284
reflect that senile cataract is a systemic disease
with inflammatory status.
Peroxidation is associated with inflammation.
Lipid peroxidation, measured as TBARS concentration
was the highest in presenile cataract and these
modification may be linked to the premature
development of senile cataract [36].
The low molecular weight antioxidants in
plasma are sacrificial compounds. They rapidly get
consumed during the scavenging of reactive oxygen
species and need to be regenerated or replaced by
new dietary-derived compounds. It is essential to
measure these antioxidants in assessing in vivo
antioxidant status. However, the number of different
antioxidants in plasma or other biological samples
makes it difficult to measure each antioxidant
separately. The possible interaction among different
antioxidants in vivo could also make the
measurement of any individual antioxidant less
representative of the overall antioxidant status [37].
Recent literature indicates that antioxidants
may ameliorate the risk for age related cataract. As
an example, higher intakes of vitamin C or the
combined intake of antioxidants had long-term
protective associations against development of
nuclear cataract in a group of older population [38].
The results of observational studies suggest
that a healthy lifestyle with a diet containing food
rich in antioxidants, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin,
as well as n-3 fatty acids, appears beneficial in age
macular degeneration and possibly cataract [39].
While data from the observational studies
generally demonstrate a protective role for
antioxidants in foods or supplements, results from
intervention trials are less encouraging with respect
to limiting risk for age related cataract/ age related
maculopathy prevalence or progress through
antioxidant supplementations, or maintaining higher
levels of antioxidants either in diet or blood [40].
In our study all groups of patients had low
levels of plasma AC, reflecting a reduced plasma
antioxidant defense system. The lowest plasma
residual antioxidant capacity was calculated for
cataractous patients with ocular comorbidities. This
result underlines the importance of vitamins and
other low weight antioxidant defence compounds
in age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Antioxidant capacity of plasma for 96 patients
with senile cataract was determined by Tissie et al.
[41]. Irrespective of the previous studies that
demonstrated a relationship between decreased levels
of antioxidant components in blood and the
occurrence of lens opacities, the investigators
couldnt find any significant difference between the
subjects with and without senile cataract.
Regarding the antioxidant gap, it can be noticed
that the lowest value is present in cataractous patients
with ocular comorbidities. This value is another
strong argument for the importance of plasma
antioxidant defense in age related ocular diseases
and can justify the benefits of antioxidant therapy
for specific groups of cataractous patients.
Uric acid is an important antioxidant. The
contribution of uric acid to total antioxidative status
(Randox test) amounted to 38% in tear fluid, 10% in
aqueous humour and 37% in serum. Positive
correlations for uric acid levels in tear fluid, aqueous
humour and serum were demonstrated [42]. This is
another argument for a link between plasma
parameters and ocular ones, or between systemic
status and the lens one. We obtained the highest
significant uric acid plasma levels in senile cataract
group, characterized by nuclear and posterior
subcapsular cataract forms. Our result is in
accordance with those from literature, as it follows.
It was demonstrated that higher uric acid
levels increased the risk for mixed opacities (OR=1.74)
Leske et al. [31] or for posterior subcapsular
cataract (OR = 1.62) [the Italian-American Cataract
Study Group [43].
Bilirubin is a scavenger of O
2
.
, HO
.
. In both
Edinburgh studies its serum level was significantly
raised in cataractous patients compared to control
subjects [18][19]. The authors of the studies considered
that the significant rise in three plasma constituents:
alkaline phosphates, bilirubin, and -glutamyl
transpeptidase with the lack of significant increase
in alanine aminotransferase, would be consistent with
an association between mild intrahepatic cholestasis
and cataract. They mentioned that the mean values
estimated in both groups of subjects (cataractous and
normal ones) are within the generally accepted normal
reference range, which are 2 standard deviations from
the mean of a large parent population [18][19]. In our
study, cataractous patients with associated ocular
comorbidities had significant high plasma bilirubin
values compared to pure cataract group.
According to many studies, the antioxidant
enzymes (catalase, SOD, GPx, GR) in cataract lens
have lower activity then the enzymes from the
normal lenses [4448]. However, the results of the
measurement of the activity of the RBC antioxidant
enzymes from the cataractous patients diverge, as
is illustrated in the following studies:
7 Systemic redox modifications in cataract 285
a small size case-control study did not show any
difference in the levels of erythrocyte SOD, GPx
and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)
in cataractous patients [21];
Chinese researchers found a lower activity of
several RBC antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase)
and a significantly decreased erythrocyte GPx
level in subjects with senile lens changes [49];
the POLA study showed a strong association of
high levels of erythrocyte SOD with increased
risk of nuclear cataract [50].
In a relatively recent published study,
the erythrocyte SOD activity was significantly
increased in the cataractous group compared with
healthy matched subjects and catalase activity was
not modified [51].
In this study, made in 38 patients with
predominant nuclear and posterior subcapsular
senile cataract, the erythrocyte SOD and catalase
activities were significantly raised in all studied
groups versus control group. The highest value was
determined in the group with cataract and ocular
comorbidities. These values may reflect an adaptive
protective response, which is indicative of mild
oxidative stress.
In conclusion, taking into account all the
modified blood parameters, senile cataract may be
considered an illness with systemic echo, not only
a local disease. But, it is still hard to say if the
modified oxidative stress parameters are cause or
effect in senile cataract.

Studii recente asupra cataractogenezei atrag atenia asupra rolului primar al
stresului oxidativ sistemic, generat nafara cristalinului. Markeri plasmatici ai
inflamaiei sunt asociai cu cataracta senil.
Obiective. Scopul acestui studiu este de a determina corelaii ntre markerii
sanguini de stres oxidativ i civa markeri de inflamaie, la pacienii cu cataract senil.
Materiale i metode. Probele de snge au fost recoltate de la 38 pacieni, cu
vrste ntre 5080 ani. Pacienii au fost mprii dup dou criterii.
Considernd criteriul vrstei, s-au contituit dou loturi, cu cataract
presenil i respectiv senil. Folosind criteriul comorbiditilor oculare asociate
(degenerescena macular, glaucom), s-au format lotul cataractei pure i cel al
cataractei ce asociaz alte afeciuni oculare. Cincisprezece subieci control,
corespunztori ca vrst i sex au fost recrutai.
Resultate. n acest studiu, pentru toate loturile cu pacieni, toi parametrii de
stres oxidativ au fost modificai fa de cei din lotul control. Astfel, la pacieni,
capacitatea antioxidant plasmatic, gap-ul antioxidant plasmatic, colesterolul,
raportul albumine/globuline au avut valori semnificativ reduse, n timp ce
activitatea eritrocitar a SOD, a catalazei, precum i a ceruloplasminei plasmatice
au avut valori semnificativ crescute. Markerii inflamatorii, ceruloplasmina i
raportul albumine/globuline s-au corelat cu diferii markeri de stres oxidativ.
Concluzie. Cataracta senil este o boal sistemic cu component inflamatorie,
conform valorilor sanguine redox i concentraiei unor markeri plasmatici ai inflamaiei.

Corresponding author: Bogdana Vrgolici, MD
Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine Carol Davila University,
8, Bd. Eroilor Sanitari, Bucharest, 050471, Romania
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