Abstract
Tears are a critical body extracellular fluid coating the surface epithelial cells of the cornea and conjunctiva, and providing the optically smooth surface necessary for refraction of light onto the retina. The biological and chemical properties of tears change in response to systemic disease. This study assessed the concentration of calcium, magnesium and phosphate levels in tears of diabetics. A comparative cross-sectional study involving twenty diabetics visiting Department for Health Services, University of Benin and forty non-diabetics within the University between 35 to 65 years participated in the study. Calcium, magnesium and phosphorous were analysed in tears sample collected with 75mm glass capillary tubes. The fasting blood sugar (FBS) and age of diabetic patients was 7.48±1.88mmol/l and 56.75±5.82years and non-diabetics was 4.83±0.52mmol/l and 53.58±6.16years respectively. Magnesium showed no differences (P<0.05) between diabetics (0.76±0.45mmol/l) and non-diabetics (0.93±0.59mmol/l). Calcium was elevated (P=0.041) and phosphate (P=0.044) was decreased in diabetics (3.14±1.65mmol/l and 0.074±0.058mmol/l) than non-diabetics (2.41±1.05mmol/l and 0.11±0.081mmol/l). This study concluded that being diabetic can affect the levels of some tear electrolytes in the tear fluid which may lead to an increased risk of diabetic ocular complications.
Highlights
IntroductionDiabetes Mellitus (DM) defined by absolute or relative deficiencies in insulin secretion and/or insulin action associated with chronic hyperglycaemia and disturbances of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism.[1,2] It is a metabolic disorder characterized by a congenital or acquired inability to transport sugar from the bloodstream into the cells, this can cause complications that can affect the ocular tissues,[3] a diabetic patient with well controlled blood sugar level can delay the onset or reduce the rate of progression of these complications.Tear film consists of three layers, the lipid component produced by the meibomian glands that are located in the eyelids and responsible for impeding tear loss through,[4,5] the most significant portion of the tear film by volume, is the aqueous portion produced by the lacrimal gland, contains electrolytes and hundreds of proteins and peptides,[5] the mucin layer is comprised of mucins that are constituted largely of sugars.[6,7] Tears exert various homeostatic effects on the ocular surface.[8,9,10] Maintenance of an appropriate osmotic gradient of tear electrolytes between the tear film and the ocular surface epithelia is vital, as any imbalance of these electrolytes may be the beginning of many pathologies.[11]Electrolytes are essential for human health and have diverse metabolic characteristics and functions.[12,13] They are electrically charged molecules with various functions, including fluid balance, tissue function,[13] maintaining homeostasis in the body, protecting cellular function, acid-base balance and so on.[12,14] The ocular surface epi-
A finding of higher than normal blood glucose level was found in diabetics, known as hyperglycaemia commonly found in patients with uncontrolled diabetic mellitus occurring as a result of elevated blood sugar levels has been reported in a number of studies.[22,23]
This study found a relationship between magnesium and patients’ ocular conditions, Calcium on the other hand showed a relationship with fasting blood sugar (FBS) and lastly, phosphate a relationship with ocular/chronic conditions and a weak relationship with age of the diabetic patients
Summary
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) defined by absolute or relative deficiencies in insulin secretion and/or insulin action associated with chronic hyperglycaemia and disturbances of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism.[1,2] It is a metabolic disorder characterized by a congenital or acquired inability to transport sugar from the bloodstream into the cells, this can cause complications that can affect the ocular tissues,[3] a diabetic patient with well controlled blood sugar level can delay the onset or reduce the rate of progression of these complications.Tear film consists of three layers, the lipid component produced by the meibomian glands that are located in the eyelids and responsible for impeding tear loss through,[4,5] the most significant portion of the tear film by volume, is the aqueous portion produced by the lacrimal gland, contains electrolytes and hundreds of proteins and peptides,[5] the mucin layer is comprised of mucins that are constituted largely of sugars.[6,7] Tears exert various homeostatic effects on the ocular surface.[8,9,10] Maintenance of an appropriate osmotic gradient of tear electrolytes between the tear film and the ocular surface epithelia is vital, as any imbalance of these electrolytes may be the beginning of many pathologies.[11]Electrolytes are essential for human health and have diverse metabolic characteristics and functions.[12,13] They are electrically charged molecules with various functions, including fluid balance, tissue function,[13] maintaining homeostasis in the body, protecting cellular function, acid-base balance and so on.[12,14] The ocular surface epi-. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) defined by absolute or relative deficiencies in insulin secretion and/or insulin action associated with chronic hyperglycaemia and disturbances of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism.[1,2] It is a metabolic disorder characterized by a congenital or acquired inability to transport sugar from the bloodstream into the cells, this can cause complications that can affect the ocular tissues,[3] a diabetic patient with well controlled blood sugar level can delay the onset or reduce the rate of progression of these complications. Objectives: This study assessed the concentration of calcium, magnesium and phosphate levels in tears of diabetics. Conclusion: This study concluded that being diabetic can affect the levels of some tear electrolytes in the tear fluid which may lead to an increased risk of diabetic ocular complications. Tear electrolyte assessment of diabetic patients in Southern Nigeria.
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