Peroxidation of lipids in patients with senile cataract

Purpose
The aim of the study was to elucidate a potential relationship between systemic and intraocular (aqueous humor and lens) levels of lipid peroxidation products (LPO) during development of senile cataract.

Material and methods
Population examined included 59 females and 44 males (average age 67,1 ± 10,78), who underwent surgical cataract extraction. They were divided into 3 groups based on cataract stage. Conjugated diens (CD) and malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) levels in lens nuclei, aqueous humor and blood sera, were assessed.

Results
Our results showed significant increase of CD and MDA levels in lens nuclei and aqueous humor with clinical advancement of cataract accompanied by increases of serum CD and MDA levels. Significant, positive correlations between analyzed parameters were noticed.

Conclusions
This indicates that systemic lipid peroxidation may affect local advancement of the disease within the lens through the influence on intraocular levels of LPO.