Abstract
Purpose: :
Anti-oxidative supplements are thought to decrease oxidative damages and prevent age-related ocular diseases. In this study, we measured the effects of anti-oxidative supplements on anti-oxidative enzymes and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) gene expression in lenticular anterior capsules.
Methods: :
12 patients with binocular cataracts were included in the study after giving informed consent. The anterior capsule was sampled by continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis during cataract surgery (as pre-intake samples). As an anti-oxidative supplement, Ocubite<sup>®</sup> was administered from the next day. 6 weeks later. The anterior capsule was sampled during cataract surgery for the other eye (as post-intake samples). RNA was purified from homogenized samples and cDNA reverse-transcribed to measure mRNA. Gene expressions of anti-oxidative enzymes, Cu,Zn-SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), and pentose phosphate cycle enzyme, G6PDH were measured using a real time polymerase chain reaction (LC480).
Results: :
Gene expressions of SOD, catalase, Gpx and G6PDH were increased in post-intake samples compared with pre-intake ones. Significant correlations among all enzymes were revealed in both pre- and post-intake samples. By gender-specific analyses, gene expression of G6PDH in post-intake samples was found significantly increased among female patients. Statistically significant correlations among all enzymes in pre-intake samples were also revealed among both male and female patients. However, in post-intake samples, significant correlations were revealed among all enzymes in male patients, but only between SOD and G6PDH, catalase and Gpx in female patients.
Conclusions: :
Anti-oxidative supplementation was presumed to increase the gene expression of G6PDH more than those of anti-oxidative enzymes, while the synthesis of NADPH2 increased following escalation of pentose phosphate cycle. The results, showed that reduced glutathione, a superoxide scavenger, increases. It was presumed to be responsible for increasing the scavenging activity of superoxide after supplement intake. Moreover, the synthesis ability of SOD correlated with that of G6PDH, but not catalase or Gpx in females. This was presumed to result in the scavenging activity of hydrogen peroxide not increasing proportionally to that of superoxide after anti-oxidative supplement intake.
Keywords: cataract • gene/expression • antioxidants