Inflammation-Involved Proteins in Blood Serum of Cataract Patients-A Preliminary Study.

Approximately 50% of all global blindness is caused by cataract in adults aged ≥50 years. The mechanisms of the disease are most arguably related to a redox imbalance and inflammation; therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the processes associated with inflammation in cataract patients. Twenty-four patients aged 22-60 years (62.5% females) participated in the study, with 33 controls aged 28-60 years (66.7% females). Venous blood serum of the subjects was examined for alpha 1-antitrypsin, as well as selected lysosomal enzymes and adipokines. The activities of lysosomal enzymes, as well as the activity of alpha 1-antitrypsin and the concentrations of c-reactive protein and leptin, were similar in the patients versus the controls. The concentrations of interleukin 6 and resistin were lower, in turn, whereas omentin-1 and adiponectin were higher. Moreover, the study revealed the existence of many linear relationships between the parameters, including multiple linear regression, especially gender-wise. No systemic inflammation was probably noted in the cataract patients tested; nevertheless, the deregulation of adiponectin, omentin-1 and resistin secretion was observed.

Is Cataract in Patients under 60 Years Associated with Oxidative Stress?

Oxidative stress is considered as a possible factor in the genesis of cataract. The study aimed to determine the systemic antioxidant status in cataract patients under 60 years. We studied 28 consecutive cataract patients, mean of 53 years (SD = 9.2), a range of 22-60 and 37 controls. In erythrocytes, activity of antioxidant enzymes was determined: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), in contrast with plasma concentrations of vitamin A and E. Conjugated dienes (CD) level and protein carbonyls (PC) concentration were also determined in plasma. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in erythrocytes and plasma were also measured. SOD and GPx activity and vitamin A and E concentrations were lower in cataract patients (p = 0.000511, 0.02, 0.022, and 0.000006, respectively). MDA plasma and erythrocytes concentrations were higher in cataract patients (p = 0.000001 and 0.0000001, respectively). PC concentration was higher in cataract patients than in controls (p = 0.00000013). There were statistically significant correlations between oxidative stress markers both in the cataract patients group as well as in the control group. Cataract incidence in patients under 60 years seems to be accompanied by enhanced lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, as well as antioxidant defense depletion. Thus, supplementation with antioxidants could be beneficial in this group of patients.

CLU Polymorphisms in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome in Polish Population.

PURPOSE: To evaluate CLU polymorphisms in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 81 patients (23 males and 58 females, the median age 76 years) and 91 control subjects (27 males and 64 females, the median age 75 years). Genotypes of the CLU polymorphisms (SNPs), rs3087554 and rs2279590, were determined using a commercially available validated genotyping assays. The χ 2 test was performed to compare patient and control groups for possible associations between SNP genotype/allele frequency and disease state. RESULTS: There were no significant differences for both allele and genotype frequencies between PEX patients and controls for rs3087554 and rs2279590 polymorphisms. The haplotypes distribution shows statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.03). The haplotype (CT) more often was found in controls than in PEX patients, conferring an 18-fold decreased risk to the disease. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that CLU variants may contribute to the risk of PEX in the Polish population.

Chosen Vascular Risk Markers in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome: An Age-Related Disorder.

PURPOSE: To evaluate lipids and C-reactive protein serum levels in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) in the Polish population. METHODS: 96 patients were studied with PEX and 79 control subjects. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and CRP serum levels, and TG/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C indexes were assessed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in concentration of lipids and values of TC/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, and non-HDL-C between PEX and control groups. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein was not increased in patients with PEX. CONCLUSIONS: Our results cast doubt on the opinion on the possible PEX and vascular diseases relation. Further studies on this subject are mandatory.

Amyloid ß Peptides and Cognitive Functions in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate if there is any relation between the Alzheimer's peptides (amyloid ß-40 and ß-42) concentration in plasma and aqueous humor as well as cognitive functions with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX). METHODS: One-hundred forty-two patients with PEX have been included for this study; median age: 75 years (Q1 = 71,5; Q3 = 80,0). Control group comprised 93 subjects aged 74 years (Q1 = 68,0; Q3 = 80,0). Amyloid ß-40 and ß-42 (Aß-40, Aß-42) concentrations were assessed in plasma in 73 PEX patients and 49 controls. Aß-40 concentration in aqueous humor was measured in 31 patients from each group. Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clock Drawing Tests were performed in 83 PEX patients and 36 controls. RESULTS: The differences between amyloid concentrations both in plasma and in aqueous humor in PEX and control groups were not statistically significant. There were no differences in MMSE and Clock Drawing Tests between groups. CONCLUSION: Our results do not indicate any relation between PEX and Alzheimer's amyloids or cognitive functions in cataract patients.

Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in diabetic retinopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic macular edema, a manifestation of diabetic retinopathy, occurs more frequently in type 2 diabetes mellitus. There is evidence that inflammation plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis. A number of pro-inflammatory cytokines are consistently elevated in the vitreous of patients with advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit the catalytic activity of the cyclooxygenase isoenzymes COX-1 and COX-2, the key enzymes in inflammatory processes. PURPOSE: To present current knowledge of benefits and limitations of using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory druds may be considered as an adjuvant treatment in diabetic retinopathy especially in patients with diabetic macular edema.

Temperament profile in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: To assess temperament in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) compared to healthy controls. METHODS: A total of 32 patients diagnosed with acute CSCR and 30 healthy controls matched by age and sex were assessed with the self-report Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory. Central serous chorioretinopathy was diagnosed based on fluorescein angiography and spectral optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Significantly higher mean scores of harm avoidance in patients with CSCR were found. Differences also were noted in subscales of novelty-seeking and reward dependence. CONCLUSIONS: The patients with CSCR demonstrated less exploratory behaviors, higher risk avoidance, restraint, and low extravagance. They were more quick-tempered, disorganized, and easily frustrated, with a tendency to avoid negative and potentially harmful stimuli, less tolerance to frustration, higher level of insecurity, and higher level of anticipatory anxiety.