Abstract
Purpose:
Female sex hormones was reported to play an important role in protecting against cataract progression.<br /> To evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on lens opacity measured by Scheimpflug densitometry and serum inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant levels.
Methods:
The control group of 128 patients (Group 1) did not use HRT at any time after menopause. The treatment group of 136 patients (Group 2) had used HRT over 5 years after menopause. Lens density was measured using a Scheimpflug imaging system (Pentacam). Multiplex bead analysis was conducted with serum. Cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular density, pentacam nucleus staging (PNS), pentacam densitometry of zone (PDZ) measured by pentacam, and antioxidant and inflammatory cytokines activities in serum.
Results:
Nuclear and posterior subcapsular density, PNS, and percentage of PDZ in group 1 were significantly higher than those of group 2 (P <0.05). The serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TGF-β concentration in group 1 were significantly higher than those of group 2 and the serum catalase, superoxide dismutases 1 (SOD 1), and superoxide dismutases 2 (SOD 2) fluorescence intensity in group 1 were significantly lower than those of group 2 (P <0.05).
Conclusions:
Long-term use of HRT may have a protective effect against cataract formation. HRT seem to be more effective in decreasing inflammation and increasing antioxidant contents in the serum of postmenopausal women.