ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY IN SENILLE CATARACT PATIENTS
senile cataract, antioxidants, oxidative stress
Introduction: Oxidative stress has been suggested as a key point for cataract formation. Objective: To evaluate whether there is an association between antioxidant micronutrient serum levels and oxidative stress markers with senile cataract. Methods: Cross-sectional study, including adults and elderly, of both sexes, with senile cataract and control. The lens was evaluated and classified according to the Crystalline Opacity Classification System (LOCS) III in Nuclear (NC), Cortical (CC), Posterior Subcapsular (PSC) and Mix cataracts. Vitamins A, C and E, selenium, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were dosed in all participants. Results: 42 participants with senile cataract and 40 controls were evaluated. There was a high prevalence of serum vitamin C deficiency (72.0%), being three times higher in participants with cataract when compared with the control (PR 3.5; CI: 1.4-8.6). Serum vitamin C level was lower among those with WC (1.0; IIQ: 0.5-1.8 mg / L), NC (1.6; IIQ: 0.5-3.6 mg / L) and Mix (1.2; IIQ: 0.9-2.0 mg / L) relative to the control (2.6; IIQ: 1.9-6 mg / L) (p = 0.02). Lower selenium levels were found in WC (57.5; IIQ: 53.0-74.6μg / L). There was no difference between the groups regarding vitamins A and E, MDA and GSH-Px. Conclusion: We observed a relationship between the type of lens opacity and low serum vitamin C and selenium. Vitamin C deficiency was associated with the presence of senile cataracts, but not with serum markers of elevated oxidative stress.