Oxidative stress and calcium levels in senile and type 2 diabetic: Cataract patients

Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for the development of cataract and oxidative stress is thought to be a major factor to initiate this process. The transparency of lens depends on optimum concentration of intracellular calcium, which is altered by the process of oxidative stress. The main objective of the present study is to compare level of oxidative stress markers in both senile and diabetic cataract patients. Serum was analyzed for MDA, total antioxidant activity [AOA], and total calcium, while lens was analyzed for AOA and total calcium. There was a significant increase in serum MDA (p<0.001) in patients with diabetic cataract. Antioxidant activity was significantly reduced in serum (p<0.05) as well as lens (p<0.01) in these patients. However there was no significant change in the serum and lens calcium levels. Comparison between mature and immature cataractous lenses showed a significant increase in the calcium and decrease in antioxidant activity. A positive association of lens calcium with serum MDA (r=0.714) was observed. Thus, it is inferred that diabetic patients are subjected to oxidative stress at much earlier age than compared to senile cataract patients.