Abstract:
Background:- Dicarbonyl compounds such as methylglyoxal and glyoxal have been identified as the predominant source
for the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGE) in various tissues contributing to aging and cataract formation
in the lens. The aim of the study was to compare the level of reactive dicarbonyls in removed senile cataractous lens nuclei,
aqueous humor and plasma of diabetic and non-diabetic cases.
Methods: -. This was a cross sectional study done with sample size of 60 senile cataract cases. Half cases were known
diabetic while other half non-diabetic. The reactive dicarbonyl levels were detected through UV spectrophotometry.
Results: - The mean dicarbonyls level in lens nuclei, aqueous humor and plasma were 888.07 ± 14.95 nmol/L, 2.85 ± 0.44
nmol/L and 2.71 ± 0.44 nmol/L respectively in diabetic individuals where as in non diabetic cases the respective mean
levels were 490 ± 8.72 nmol/L, 1.80 ± 0.34 nmol/Land 1.78 ± 0.45 nmol/L (p<0.001).
Conclusion: - Diabetic cases were noted to have more browning of their cataractous nuclei. There was a significant
elevation of dicarbonyls in the removed nuclei, plasma and in aqueous humor in diabetics.
