Decreased amount of antioxidant linked to age-related cataract formation

Br J Ophthalmol. 2009;93(8):1081-1084.

A decreased level of an antioxidant was linked to oxidative stress and the formation of age-related nuclear cataract, a study showed.

"Peroxiredoxin (Prdx6), a new family of antioxidants, regulates gene expression and function by controlling reactive oxygen species, delays hereditary cataracts in rats and protects epithelial cells in the lens against oxidative stresses," the study authors said.

The authors set out to identify the relationship between Prdx6 expression, age and the severity of lens opacity in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

The study included 88 cataractous eyes examined between March 2007 and October 2007. Investigators recorded patient age and classified cataract sub-type and cataract severity based on the Lens Opacities Classification System version III. The level of Prdx6 expression was also assessed.

Study data showed that the expression of Prdx6 diminished with age; the negative association was statistically significant (P < .047). The results also showed a significant relationship between a higher nuclear or cortical cataract score and lower expression of Prdx6 in patients younger than 70 years.

"These findings suggest that oxidative stress contributes to nuclear cataract formation and that a local decrease in Prdx6 in cataractous lenses may indicate the initiation of age-related cataract formation," the authors said.