Association of serum alpha-tocopherol, retinol and ascorbic acid with the risk of cataract development.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies on cataract have suggested that antioxidant micronutrients such as alpha-tocopherol, retinol and ascorbic acid may help to protect against cataractogenesis. Our objective was to determine the serum concentration of these antioxidant vitamins in subjects with cataract to see if there is any correlation between the levels of essential vitamins and the development of cataract. METHODS: The study was performed on a total of 88 patients and healthy controls who were given physical examinations that included a complete eye examination. Ascorbic acid was measured in serum with UV/Vis spectrophotometry, and fat-soluble vitamins were measured in serum by high-performance liquid chromatography according to previously published methods. RESULTS: The mean serum concentration of alpha-tocopherol in patients (9.16 +/- 2.53 microg/ml) with cataract was lower than in the control group (p < 0.001). Patients had a moderately lower ascorbic acid concentration than the control group, which was not statistically significant. The subjects' serum retinol levels were similar to control group levels and not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: While this is a small-scale case study it can nonetheless be viewed as presenting support to help narrow the possibility that antioxidative agents may play a role in delaying cataract formation.

Assessment of aqueous humor zinc status in human age-related cataract.

Age-related cataract is an ever-increasing health problem among the elderly population worldwide. In recent years, there has been speculation that the levels of micronutrients in ocular tissue may play a role in the pathogenesis of cataract, especially zinc, since it is found in high concentrations in the eye tissues, including the aqueous humor. 44 subjects diagnosed with cataract were chosen for study and matched with 21 healthy controls to determine the concentration of zinc in aqueous humor. The findings revealed that a significantly higher concentration of zinc was present in the aqueous humor of our study population compared to controls (p < 0.001). These findings, in agreement with several previous studies, amplify the need for further investigation to determine if these higher levels are in actuality a consequence of the disease or a factor in the formation of cataract.

Comparative study of chemoradiation and neoadjuvant chemotherapy effects before radical hysterectomy in stage IB-IIB bulky cervical cancer and with tumor diameter greater than 4 cm.

Tumor size seems to be a determinant in the prognosis of early cervical cancer. Patients with tumor greater than 4 cm (bulky) in diameter have worse outcome. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of preoperative combined chemoradiation and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAIC) programs followed by radical hysterectomy in stage IB-IIB bulky cervical cancer. From September 1999 to April 2002, 60 patients with stage IB-IIB bulky cervical cancer were treated with preoperative external-beam radiotherapy to 45 Gy plus weekly cisplatin 50 mg/m2 or preoperative NAIC by cisplatin 50 mg/m2 and vincristin 1 mg/m2 every 7-10 days, for three courses. Surgery was performed 4-6 weeks after the completion of the preoperative treatment. There were no significant difference between age, stage, tumor size, and histopathologic type in two groups (P > 0.05). Toxicity associated with two treatment methods was usually mild. In chemoradiation group, two patients developed vesicovaginal fistula, and four patients developed long-term hydronephrosis that needed urethral stenting. Before surgery, complete and partial clinical response had no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). After surgery, lymph node and parametrial involvement had no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). In NAIC group, more patients had significantly residual tumor (P = 0.012), but residual tumor size had no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). Pathologic complete response was significantly higher in chemoradiation group (P = 0.004). According to the result of this study, it seems that NAIC and chemoradiation had similar effects in survival prognostic factors.