Changes in apoptosis factors in lens epithelial cells of cataract patients with diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To determine and compare the expression of apoptotic factors Bax and Bcl-2 in lens epithelial cells (LECs) of cataract patients with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR), the duration of diabetes mellitus (DM), and the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level.

SETTING:

St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.

DESIGN:

Randomized prospective study.

METHODS:

Patients were classified into 3 groups as follows: patients without DM (Group 1), patients with DM but without DR (Group 2), and diabetic patients with DR (Group 3). Data on the duration of DM and the HbA1c levels were recorded. The anterior capsule was obtained from the patients after cataract surgery, and immunohistochemical stains of Bax and Bcl-2 were performed. The stained anterior capsules were analyzed by reactivity scoring.

RESULTS:

Each group comprised 20 eyes. There was a statistically significant increase in Bax expression in all groups (P<.001). The Bcl-2 expression increased more in Group 2 and Group 3 than in Group 1, although the difference was not significant (P=.615). With a longer duration of DM and higher HbA1c level, Bax expression significantly increased but Bcl-2 was weakly expressed.

CONCLUSIONS:

The apoptosis in LECs increased in cataract patients with DM and with or without DR. Using this knowledge on the regulation of apoptosis will permit better identification of the factors involved in the etiology of diabetes and may result in new therapies for diabetic cataract.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE:

No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

• Authors: Boyun Kim, Su Young Kim, Sung Kun Chung
• Journal: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery (J Cataract Refract Surg) Vol. 38 Issue 8 Pg. 1376-81 (Aug 2012) ISSN: 1873-4502 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22727992 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• BAX protein, human
• Glycated Hemoglobin A
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein
• hemoglobin A1c protein, human

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Apoptosis
• Cataract (metabolism)
• Diabetes Mellitus (metabolism)
• Diabetic Retinopathy (metabolism)
• Epithelial Cells (metabolism)
• Female
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
• Glycated Hemoglobin (metabolism)
• Humans
• Lens Capsule, Crystalline (pathology)
• Lens Implantation, Intraocular
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Phacoemulsification
• Prospective Studies
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 (metabolism)
• Time Factors
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein (metabolism)