Risk Of Age-related Cataract Research Articles

Predictive role of the peripheral blood inflammation indices neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immunoinflammatory index (SII) for age-related cataract risk.

The novel inflammatory markers neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immunoinflammatory index (SII) have not yet been used in the study of age-related cataracts. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationships between the NLR, PLR, and SII and age-related cataracts. In the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cross-sectional surveys, we collected complete information on blood counts, whether cataract surgery had been performed, and baseline information for adults. We investigated the independent interactions between the inflammatory markers NLR, PLR, and SII and age-related cataracts via weighted multivariate regression analyses and subgroup analyses. Smoothed curve fitting was performed to identify nonlinear associations and saturation effects between inflammation indices and cataract risk. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for factors significantly associated with the development of cataracts to identify the optimal diagnostic inflammation index. This study included 8887 participants without cataracts and 935 participants with cataracts. Multivariate logistic regression analyses after adjusting for covariates revealed that a high SII (OR = 1.000, 95% CI = 1.000-1.000; P = 0.017) and high NLR (OR = 1.065, 95% CI = 1.000-1.134; P = 0.048) were independent risk factors for cataracts. Subgroup analyses did not reveal interactions between the SII, NLR, or cataract and covariates. Smoothed curve fits of the relationships between the SII or NLR and cataracts did not show positive significant saturating effect values for any of the variables. The ROC curve revealed some diagnostic value for cataracts for both the SII (AUC = 0.549, P < 0.001) and the NLR (AUC = 0.603, P < 0.001), but both had weak diagnostic value. Our study suggests that the SII and NLR are independent risk factors for cataracts in U.S. adults, but no such associations was identified between the PLR and cataracts.

Plant-based diets and the risk of age-related cataract: a case-control study

PurposeCataract, or lens opacification, is a major public health burden accounting for more than half of all blindness worldwide. Plant-based dietary indices provide a unique approach to investigating a modifiable risk for age-related cataracts (ARC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between plant-based diet indices and risk of ARC.Design/methodology/approachThis case-control study was conducted on 97 patients with newly diagnosed ARC and 198 healthy people (as a control group) in Iran. Convenience sampling and a food frequency questionnaire were used. Three plant-based dietary indices were used based on the health promoting qualities of food items, the overall plant-based diet index (PDI), healthful plant-based diet index (H-PDI) and unhealthful plant-based diet index (U-PDI) which comprised refined carbohydrates and highly processed foods. The plant-based dietary indices were used to investigate relationships with risk of ARC.FindingsAfter adjusting for potential covariates, no significant association between a higher adherence to O-PDI and risk of ARC. As well, a higher adherence to H-PDI was inversely associated with the risk of ARC (OR = 0.35,95%CI:0.16–0.78). In contrast, there was a significant positive association between a higher adherence to U-PDI and the risk of ARC (OR = 3.67,95%CI:1.66 – 8.15).Originality/valueThe findings of this study have underscored the potential impact of the quality of plant-based food selections on the likelihood of developing ARC. Therefore, adopting a plant-based diet that is rich in nutrient-dense plant-based foods while being low in unhealthy options may have the potential to reduce the risk of ARC.

Hypothyroidism is a causal determinant of age-related cataract risk in European population: a Mendelian randomization study.

To determine whether there is a causal relationship between thyroid dysfunction and the risk of age-related cataract (ARC) in the European population. A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study. Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, free thyroxine (fT4), and thyrotropin (TSH) were selected as exposures. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were obtained from the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of the IEU database, including 337,159 subjects. Data for fT4 and TSH (72,167 subjects) were extracted from the ThyroidOmics Consortium. ARC was used as the outcome. The SNPs associated with ARC were selected from a GWAS of 216,362 individuals in the FinnGen database. The main method used was the inverse variance-weighted method, together with four complementary methods. Sensitivity analyses were performed using Cochran's Q test, MR-PRESSO, MR-Egger regression and leave-one-out test. MR pleiotropy was used to test for pleiotropy. MR Steiger test was used to test for the directionality. Two-sample MR analysis revealed a positive association between genetically predicted hypothyroidism and risk of ARC (OR = 2.501, 95% CI: 1.325-4.720; P = 0.004). Hyperthyroidism, circulating fT4 and TSH levels did not have a significant causal effect on ARC (P > 0.05). The results were robust and reliable, and no horizontal pleiotropy was found after sensitivity analyses. In the MR Steiger test, we found no reverse causal effects of hypothyroidism on the ARC (P <0.001). Our study provides strong evidence that hypothyroidism is a causal determinant of ARC risk.

Body mass index influences age-related cataracts: an updated meta-analysis and systemic review.

Visual impairment and blindness caused by cataracts are major public health problems. Several factors are associated with an increased risk of age-related cataracts, such as age, smoking, alcohol consumption, and ultraviolet radiation. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between body mass index and age-related cataracts. Studies on weight and age-related cataracts published from January 2011 to July 2020 were reviewed by searching PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science databases. The random-effects and fixed-effects models were used for the meta-analysis, and the results were reported as odd ratios. A total of nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. No correlation was found between underweight and nuclear cataracts (OR=1.31, 95% CI [-0.50 to 3.12], p=0.156). The results of the random-effects model showed that overweight was significantly associated with age-related cataracts and reduced the risk of age-related cataracts (OR=0.91, 95% CI [0.80-1.02], p<0.0001; I2=62.3%, p<0.0001). Significant correlations were found between overweight and cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular cataracts (OR=0.95, 95% CI [0.66-1.24], p<0.0001; OR=0.92, 95% CI (0.76-1.08), p<0.0001; OR=0.87, 95% CI [0.38-1.02], p<0.0001). Significant correlations were found between obesity and cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular cataracts (OR=1.00, 95% CI [0.82-1.17], p<0.0001; OR=1.07, 95% CI [0.92-1.22], p<0.0001; OR=1.14, 95% CI [0.91-1.37], p<0.0001). This finding suggested a significant correlation between body mass index and age-related cataracts, with overweight and obesity reducing or increasing the risk of age-related cataracts, respectively.

Association of Behavioral and Clinical Risk Factors With Cataract: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

To investigate the association of genetically determined primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), myopic refractive error (RE), type 2 diabetes (T2D), blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption with the risk of age-related cataract. To assess potential causal effects of clinical or behavioral factors on cataract risk, we conducted two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses. Genetic instruments, based on common genetic variants associated with risk factors at genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10-8), were derived from published genome-wide association studies (GWAS). For age-related cataract, we used GWAS summary statistics from our previous GWAS conducted in the Genetic Epidemiology Research on Adult Health and Aging (GERA) cohort (28,092 cataract cases and 50,487 controls; all non-Hispanic whites) or in the UK Biobank (31,852 cataract cases and 428,084 controls; all European-descent individuals). We used the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method as our primary source of Mendelian randomization estimates and conducted common sensitivity analyses. We found that genetically determined POAG and mean spherical equivalent RE were significantly associated with cataract risk (IVW model: odds ratio [OR] = 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.08; P = 0.018; per diopter more hyperopic: OR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.89-0.93; P = 6.51 × 10-13, respectively). In contrast, genetically determined T2D, BP, BMI, cigarette smoking, or alcohol consumption were not associated with cataract risk (P > 0.05). Our results provide evidence that genetic risks for POAG and myopia may be causal risk factors for age-related cataract. These results are consistent with previous observational studies reporting associations of myopia with cataract risk. This information may support population cataract risk stratification and screening strategies.

“Molecular Characterization And Its Association To Ap Endonuclease-1 (Ape1) And X-Ray Cross-Complementing Group 1 (Xrcc1), As A Dna Repair Protein From Patients With The Risk Of Age-Related Cataract At A Tertiary Care Centre, Uttar Pradesh”

Introduction: Age-related cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world. (AP)-endonuclease APE1 and the X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) are the key enzymes taking part in the repair of DNA damage. The association of X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) and AP endonuclease-1 (APE1) plays a critical role as polymorphisms of DNA repair genes decreasing the ability to repair DNA damage, leaving human body a greatly increased susceptibility to cancer or age-related diseases.&#x0D; Aim and objective: To study the Molecular characterization and its Association to AP endonuclease-1 (APE) and X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1), as a DNA Repair protein from patients with the risk of age-related cataract at a Tertiary Care Centre, Uttar Pradesh.&#x0D; Material and methods: This was a case control study carried out in the Department of Anatomy &amp; Department of Ophthalmology of RMCH&amp;RC for a period of 2 year i.e., June 2020 to June 2022. A total of 500 clinical suspected cases were included in our study in which 250 patients were confirmed as cataract positive patients whereas 250 were the Controls. The Demographic profiles of the cases were recorded after duly obtaining consent. The 5ml of venous blood was collected in Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid tubes.&#x0D; DNA was extracted by using Qiagen DNA Extraction kit as per manufactures guidelines. The AP endonuclease-1 (APE) and X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) gene was detected by the conventional PCR.&#x0D; Results: In the present study the maximum number of cases were reported in the Females as compared to the Males with the maximum age group of 51-60 years being affected the most. The Expression of (AP) –endonuclease (APE1) gene was more 68.4 % as compared to X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) with 62.8 %. The increase expression indicates the presence of these genes in the DNA repair damage.&#x0D; Conclusion: The Expression of (AP)-endonuclease (APE1) gene was more 68.4% as compared to X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) with 62.8%. The increase expression indicates the presence of these genes in the DNA repair damage. So, there should be early screening and its molecular detection of the DNA repair gene, which will help the clinician in the early diagnosis as well as early treatment of the cataract.

Association between Healthy Eating Index-2015 and Age-Related Cataract in American Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study of NHANES 2005-2008.

Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), a healthy eating pattern proposed by Dietary Guidelines for Americans, is proven to be protective against various diseases. However, whether it is associated with age-related cataracts is unknown. This population-based cross-sectional study included 6395 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in the cycles from 2005 to 2008. HEI-2015 was calculated from 24-h dietary recall interviews, ranging from 0 to 100, and higher HEI-2015 represents better diet quality. Age-related cataract was generated from the questionnaire. The association between HEI-2015 and cataract was assessed with logistic regression models. Propensity score weighting, restricted cubic spline, and subgroup analysis were conducted to further explore the relationship. 6395 participants were included in the study, with a mean [standard deviation (SD)] age of 48.7 (15.3) years and 3115 (48.7%) being male. HEI-2015 was negatively associated with cataracts after adjusting all covariates included, both as a continuous variable [odds ratio (OR): 0.991, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.984-0.997, p = 0.006] and quartiles with the highest quartile compared to the lowest (OR: 0.739, 95% CI: 0.559-0.980, p = 0.035). After propensity score weighting, the association remained significant. Restricted cubic spline revealed no non-linear relationship (p for non-linearity 0.085). Subgroup analysis showed that there were no interaction effects. Adherence to the healthy eating pattern, HEI-2015, was associated with a lower risk of age-related cataracts.

Risk-benefit analysis of the association of ambient fine particulate matter pollution and physical activity with age-related cataract: A prospective cohort study

The aim of this study was to examine the associations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and physical activity (PA) with age-related cataract and its subtypes, and to explore potential interactions between PM2.5 and PA. A total of 291,627 participants enrolled in the UK Biobank cohort during 2006–2010 was included. The annual mean concentration of PM2.5 at each participant's residential address was estimated using Land Use Regression models. PA was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Cox proportional hazards model was used to examine the associations of PM2.5 and PA with incident age-related cataract, and to assess their interactions on additive and multiplicative scales. We identified 12,826 incident cases of age-related cataract, including 7686 cases of nuclear cataract and 5140 cases of non-nuclear cataract. Higher PM2.5 exposure was associated with a higher risk of age-related cataract [HR = 1.140; 95% CI: 1.105, 1.177; per 1 μg/m3 increase], and the association was stronger for non-nuclear cataract than for nuclear cataract. There was a negative association between PA and cataract [HR = 0.925; 95% CI: 0.879, 0.974; comparing high to low level]. No clear evidence of the interactions between PM2.5 and PA was found. Our findings indicated that high PM2.5 exposure and low levels of PA were independently associated with increased risks of incident age-related cataract.

Associations of exposure to multiple metals with the risk of age-related cataract in Anhui, China: a case-control study.

It's well-known that multiple metal elements can lead to the change of oxidative stress response levels in vivo. However, their relationship with age-related cataract (ARC) had not been well studied. We designed a case-control study including 210 individuals with ARC and 210 matched control group. The metal levels in their urine specimens were measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression was used to select representative metals into the multi-element model and reduce dimension. Multivariate logic analysis and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were subsequently used to explore the association of ARC risk with multiple metal elements. We found that magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se) were positively associated with ARC in the single-element model. The multiple exposure model indicated a positive association between Mg and As, in which the OR in their highest quartile were 3.32 (95% CI: 1.24-8.89) and 7.09 (95% CI: 2.56-19.63). The BKMR model also showed the effect of As increased monotonically with its increasing concentration, and high levels of Mg and As had a significant positive effect on ARC risk. In conclusion, we found that exposure to multiple metals was associated with increased ARC risk. Further research is needed to verify these findings in the future.

РАЗРАБОТКА РИСК-ОРИЕНТИРОВАННОГО ПОДХОДА В ПРОФИЛАКТИКЕ СТАРЧЕСКОЙ КАТАРАКТЫ НА ОСНОВЕ КОМОРБИДНОЙ ПАТОЛОГИИ

Significance. Cataracts are the second most common cause of low vision and blindness. In this regard, development of a new analytical approach is required to optimize algorithms of preventive measures. The purpose of the study is to develop a method of screening diagnostics of age-related cataract among people aged 40-99, based on comorbid pathology, as well as an algorithm for stratification into target groups depending of the risk for senile cataract development. Material and methods. The study is based on information extracted from electronic medical records (EMRs) of patients aged 40-99 residing in Tambov and assigned to the city polyclinic (n=38328). The technique was developed using a binary logistic regression analysis with a step-by-step algorithm for including variables, where age-related cataract acted as the dependent variable, and age-related cataract risk factors associated with chronic diseases were used as independent variables. The models were compared by building ROC curves with calculations of the area under the curve (AUC). Results. A screening technique has been developed to identify individuals at high risk for developing age-related cataract among people aged 40 -99 based on data on chronic diseases associated with age-related cataract, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, varicose veins of the lower extremities, and diabetes mellitus, taking into account age standardization. Data on the level of risk for developing age-related cataract made it possible to develop an algorithm for stratifying population into target groups, depending on the required level of sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion. Based on the data on cardiometabolic diseases associated with age-related cataract, a methodology was developed that allows to establish the risk level for developing age-related cataract among people aged 40-99, and an algorithm for stratification into target groups. Scope of application. The acquired knowledge can be used in the process of developing differentiated measures of primary prevention of age-related cataract, taking into account target groups and the established modifiable risk factors.

Association of Age-Related Cataract Risk with High Polygenetic Risk Scores Involved in Galactose-Related Metabolism and Dietary Interactions

Introduction: Cataracts are associated with the accumulation of galactose and galactitol in the lens. We determined the polygenetic risk scores for the best model (PRSBM) associated with age-related cataract (ARC) risk and their interaction with diets and lifestyles in 40,262 Korean adults aged over 50 years belonging to a hospital-based city cohort. Methods: The genetic variants for ARC risk were selected in lactose and galactose metabolism-related genes with multivariate logistic regression using PLINK 1.9 version. PRSBM from the selected genetic variants were estimated by generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) after adjusting for covariates. The interactions between the PRSBM and each lifestyle factor were determined to modulate ARC risk. Results: The genetic variants for ARC risk related to lactose and galactose metabolism were SLC2A1_rs3729548, ST3GAL3_rs3791047, LCT_rs2304371, GALNT5_rs6728956, ST6GAL1_rs2268536, GALNT17_rs17058752, CSGALNACT1_rs1994788, GALNTL4_rs10831608, B4GALT6_rs1667288, and A4GALT_ rs9623659. In GMDR, the best model included all ten genetic variants. The highest odds ratio for a single SNP in the PRSBM was 1.26. However, subjects with a high-PRSBM had a higher ARC risk by 2.1-fold than a low-PRSBM after adjusting for covariates. Carbohydrate, dairy products, kimchi, and alcohol intake interacted with PRSBM for ARC risk, where participants with high-PRSBM had a much higher ARC risk than those with low-PRSBM when consuming diets with high carbohydrate and low dairy product and kimchi intake. However, only with low alcohol intake, the participants with high-PRSBM had a higher ARC risk than those with low-PRSBM. Conclusion: Adults aged >50 years having high-PRSBM may modulate dietary habits to reduce ARC risk.

Reported evidence of vitamin E protection against cataract and glaucoma

Cataract and glaucoma are the major causes of severe visual loss and blindness in older adults. This review article describes the currently available basic and clinical evidence regarding vitamin E protection against these eye diseases in the chronologic order of the publications. Experimental evidence has suggested both that oxidative stress due to the accumulation of free radicals plays a role in the pathogenesis of cataracts and glaucoma and that the process can be prevented or ameliorated by vitamin E. The results of observational studies have been inconsistent regarding the association between blood vitamin E levels and the risk of age-related cataract or glaucoma. Despite the encouraging effects of vitamin E from case series, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies in humans, the effects on cataract formation and/or progression have not been consistent among prospective and randomized control studies; few randomized control studies have tested the effects of supplemental vitamin E on glaucoma development or progression. Given the high prevalence of cataract and glaucoma in the elderly population, even a modest reduction in the risk for these eye diseases would potentially have a substantial public health impact; however, the potential benefits of vitamin E on cataract or glaucoma remain inconclusive and need to be carefully considered.

Evaluation of Impact of Life-Style-Related Risk Factors in Age-Related Cataract

Cataract is a multifactorial ocular disease, resulting in turbidity or opacity of the lens of the eyes, which leads to blindness or reduction of visuality. The different environmental, socio-economical, and lifestyle factors indicate as risk factors of age-related cataracts. The aim of this study was the evaluation of daily activity, dietary regimen, residence location and etc., as risk factors of age-related cataracts. In this census, a crosssectional study was performed on 353 patients with age-related cataract underwent surgery, who referred to Rouhani Hospital in Babol, Iran from 2018 to 2019, and 343 healthy individuals. The lifestyle-related information was collected from all individuals via the designed questionnaire. Our results showed that there were significant correlations between the birth/residence in the village (comparing to city, P&lt;0.001), abnormal sleeping time (P&lt;0.001), daily activity (and being outdoor, P&lt;0.001), and use of solid oil (P&lt;0.001) with increasing in age-related cataracts. Furthermore, the use of antioxidant-containing fruits significantly reduces the risk of age-related cataracts. Our results established that lifestyle clearly has a golden impact on age-related cataracts. The reduction in daily activity, normal sleeping time, and more use of antioxidant-containing dietary regimen play a preventive role in age-related cataracts.

Physical activity and risk of age-related cataract.

To summarize quantitatively the prospective association between physical activity and age-related cataract (ARC) risk. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for all relevant follow up studies until July 2019. Multivariable-adjusted relative risks (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from individual studies were used to calculate the overall summary estimates. The dose-response relationship was assessed using generalized least-squares trend estimation. Six prospective cohort studies, involving 19 173 cases in 6.2-12.1y follow up of 171 620 participants, were included in the analysis. Increased physical activity was significantly associated with reduced risk of ARC by 10% (RR: 0.90; 95%CI: 0.81, 0.99, P=0.04). Stratified analysis by assessment method for physical activity suggest that studies using metabolic equivalent (MET) per day tended to report a slightly stronger association with ARC (RR: 0.85; 95%CI: 0.81, 0.90, P<0.001) than studies which assessed activity by weekly activity (RR: 0.96; 95%CI: 0.89, 1.03, P=0.24). Dose-response analysis indicated that the risk of ARC decreased by 2% (RR: 0.98; 95%CI: 0.98, 0.99, P<0.001) for every 6 METs per day increase in activity. The findings from this Meta-analysis provide additional evidence that increased physical activity is inversely associated with ARC risk dose-responsively.

Rs1894720 polymorphism is associated with the risk of age-related cataract by regulating the proliferation of epithelial cells in the lens via the signalling pathway of MIAT/miR-26b/BCL2L2.

IntroductionCataracts caused by old age are one of the most frequent causes for blindness and poor vision worldwide. In this study, we aimed to clarify the possible role of rs1894720 polymorphism in the pathogenesis of age-related cataract.Material and methodsRs1894720 polymorphism genotype was detected by TaqMan. Bioinformatics analysis, luciferase assay, real-time PCR, western blot, and protein density analysis were conducted to establish the correlations between MIAT and miR-26b as well as between BCL2L2 and miR-26b. Flow cytometry and MTT assay were also performed to observe the effect of MIAT/miR-26b/BCL2L2 signalling pathway on the status of cell apoptosis and viability.ResultsMIAT functioned as an endogenous competing RNA to sponge miR-26b. In addition, BCL2L2 was identified as a target of miR-26b. Therefore, the expression of miR-26b was obviously suppressed by MIAT or anti-miR-26b, while the mRNA and protein expression of BCL2L2 was up-regulated in the presence of MIAT or anti-miR-26b. Moreover, the positive effect of MIAT on BCL2L2 expression was exerted via inhibition of the expression of miR-26b. In addition, the cells transfected with MIAT or anti-miR-26b showed suppressed expression of caspase-3 and reduced apoptosis index but higher cell viability, indicating that MIAT could suppress cell apoptosis via inhibition of miR-26b expression. Furthermore, the subjects carrying the GT and TT genotypes of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1894720 were associated with a higher risk of age-related cataracts, as indicated by their odds ratio (OR) and p-values.ConclusionsRs1894720 SNP could down-regulate the expression of MIAT, thus leading to reduced BCL2L2 expression and enhanced epithelial cell apoptosis in the lens, eventually increasing the incidence of age-related cataract.

Epha2 genotype influences ultraviolet radiation induced cataract in mice

Age-related cataract is the major cause of blindness worldwide. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the disease. Genetic variation in the Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EPHA2) gene is associated with the risk of age-related cataract in multiple populations, and exposure to ultraviolet-B (UV–B) radiation is a well-established risk factor for the disease. Epha2 knockout and UV-B radiation independently lead to cataract in mice, and UV-B radiation reportedly alters EPHA2 expression in cultured cells. We hypothesised that an interaction between UV-B radiation exposure and Epha2 signalling may influence cataract development. To test this hypothesis, 5-week-old Epha2+/+ and Epha2+/− mice (n = 8 per group) were exposed to repeated below-threshold doses of UV-B radiation (0.0125–0.05 J/cm2), before development of Epha2-mediated cataract. Cataract development was monitored after termination of exposure and at least one month later. Histological analysis of exposed and unexposed lenses was performed to assess pathological changes, and gene expression analysis to investigate the mechanism underlying cataract. Both Epha2+/+ and Epha2+/− mice developed UV-B dose-dependent anterior polar cataract; cataract severity in both genotypes of mice exposed to either 0.025 or 0.05 J/cm2 UV-B was significantly higher than that in matched unexposed mice (p < 0.05). Histological analysis of lenses of both genotypes of mice exposed to 0.025 or 0.05 J/cm2 UV-B radiation consistently revealed disruption of the lens architecture. A month after the exposure, cataract severity increased in Epha2+/+ mice treated with the highest dose of UV-B radiation (p = 0.03) but remained unchanged in Epha2+/− mice. Gene expression analysis of lenses of both genotypes of mice showed significant upregulation of the cell proliferation marker Mki67 in Epha2+/+ (p = 0.036) but not in Epha2+/− mice exposed to the highest dose of UV-B radiation compared to matched unexposed mice. In conclusion, this study suggests that repeated exposure to doses of UV-B radiation lower than the single minimum dose required for inducing cataract leads to cataract in wild-type and Epha2 heterozygous knockout mice. Furthermore, this study indicates, for the first time, a potentially favourable effect of partial Epha2 deficiency against UV radiation-induced damage in the lens.

Nutritional effect on age-related cataract formation and progression.

To provide a comprehensive summary of the latest evidence-based data on nutrients linked to the pathogenesis of cataract formation and progression. This summary of peer-reviewed publications emphasizes the ongoing effort to modulate the cataractogenous process through nutrition, and points at an only weak evidence for the contribution of a specific nutrient to this process. Although observational studies successfully demonstrated a positive correlation between specific nutrients intake and age-related cataract, such evidence was usually lacking in following interventional studies. Three metanalyses point towards a beneficial effect of high intake of vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin A on the risk of age-related cataract. New studies point at a protective effect of a high intake of vitamin K1 and vitamin D but negate the influence of Mediterranean diet or an overall high dairy consumption on the progression of cataract in a subgroup of patients. Sterols are candidate nutrients for future investigation. Nutrition rich in fruits and vegetables, and a high dietary intake of vitamins A, C, D, E and K1 may be inversely associated with the risk of age-related cataract. More studies involving patients in a wide range of nutritional status are required to establish the long-term benefit of nutritional supplements.

Dietary vitamin and carotenoid intake and risk of age-related cataract

Existing studies suggest that dietary vitamins and carotenoids might be associated with a reduced risk of age-related cataract (ARC), although a quantitative summary of these associations is lacking. The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies of dietary vitamin and carotenoid intake and ARC risk. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to June 2018. The adjusted RRs and corresponding 95% CIs for the associations of interest in each study were extracted to calculate pooled estimates. Dose-response relations were assessed with the use of generalized least-squares trend estimation. We included 8 RCTs and 12 cohort studies in the meta-analysis. Most vitamins and carotenoids were significantly associated with reduced risk of ARC in the cohort studies, including vitamin A (RR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.71, 0.92; P=0.001), vitamin C (RR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.88; P<0.001), vitamin E (RR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.80, 1.00; P=0.049), β-carotene (RR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.99; P=0.023), and lutein or zeaxanthin (RR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.89; P<0.001). In RCTs, vitamin E (RR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.91, 1.03; P=0.262) or β-carotene (RR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.92, 1.07; P=0.820) intervention did not reduce the risk of ARC significantly compared with the placebo group. Further dose-response analysis indicated that in cohort studies the risk of ARC significantly decreased by 26% for every 10-mg/d increase in lutein or zeaxanthin intake (RR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.80; P<0.001), by 18% for each 500-mg/d increase in vitamin C intake (RR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.74, 0.91; P<0.001), by 8% for each 5-mg/d increase in β-carotene intake (RR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.96; P<0.001), and by 6% for every 5 mg/d increase in vitamin A intake (RR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90, 0.98; P<0.001). Higher consumption of certain vitamins and carotenoids was associated with a significant decreased risk of ARC in cohort studies, but evidence from RCTs is less clear.

Association between serum lipids concentration and patients with age-related cataract in China: a cross-sectional, case–control study

ObjectiveObesity and a high-fat diet have been found to be associated with an increased risk of age-related cataract (ARC). Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether serum lipid levels are...

High-dose B-vitamin supplements and risk for age-related cataract: a population-based prospective study of men and women.

Previous studies that have investigated the association between B-vitamin supplement use and risk for cataract yield conflicting results. The aim of this study was to examine the association between use of high-dose B-vitamin supplements (approximately 10 times recommended daily intake) and risk for age-related cataract in a population-based prospective study of 13 757 women from the Swedish Mammography Cohort and 22 823 men from the Cohort of Swedish Men. Dietary supplement use and potential confounders were assessed using a questionnaire at baseline. Information on cataract diagnosis and extraction was obtained through linkage to registers. During the follow-up period between January 1998 and December 2011, we identified 8395 cataract cases (3851 for women and 4544 for men). The use of B vitamins plus other supplements and B vitamins only was associated with 9 % (95 % CI 2, 17) and 27 % (95 % CI 12, 43) increased risk for cataract, respectively. The hazard ratios for use of B vitamins only and risk for cataract stratified by different age groups were as follows: <60 years: 1·88 (95 % CI 1·47, 2·39); 60-69 years: 1·21 (95 % CI 0·96, 1·53); and ≥70 years: 1·09 (95 % CI 0·91, 1·31) (P interaction=0·002). Our results suggest that the use of high-dose B-vitamin supplements was associated with an increased risk for cataract. This association might be confined to younger participants.