Ye Jin Ahn1, Man Soo Kim1, Sung Kun Chung2. 1. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea. 2. Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, St Paul's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: eyedoc@catholic.ac.kr.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare the expression of calpain and caspase-12 in human lens epithelial cells (LECs) of cataract patients with or without diabetic retinopathy (DR). DESIGN: Prospective, comparative case series. METHODS: Patients were divided into 4 groups: patients without diabetes mellitus (DM) (Group 1), patients with DM and without diabetic retinopathy (DR) (Group 2), diabetic patients with nonprolifeative DR (NPDR) (Group 3), and diabetic patients with proliferative DR (PDR) (Group 4). Data on DM duration and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level were collected. The LECs were obtained during cataract surgery and immunohistochemical staining was performed for calpain and caspase-12. The reactivity score of each specimen was determined using confocal microscopy. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients (40 eyes) were evaluated, and each group was composed of 10 patients. The expression of calpain and caspase-12 was highest in Group 4, followed by Group 3, Group 2, and Group 1 (P < .001). The expressions were significantly higher with a longer duration of DM, increased HbA1c level, or advanced DR. CONCLUSIONS: Endoplasmic reticulum stress may be associated with apoptosis of LECs, resulting in cataract formation in diabetic patients.
PURPOSE: To compare the expression of calpain and caspase-12 in human lens epithelial cells (LECs) of cataractpatients with or without diabetic retinopathy (DR). DESIGN: Prospective, comparative case series. METHODS:Patients were divided into 4 groups: patients without diabetes mellitus (DM) (Group 1), patients with DM and without diabetic retinopathy (DR) (Group 2), diabeticpatients with nonprolifeative DR (NPDR) (Group 3), and diabeticpatients with proliferative DR (PDR) (Group 4). Data on DM duration and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level were collected. The LECs were obtained during cataract surgery and immunohistochemical staining was performed for calpain and caspase-12. The reactivity score of each specimen was determined using confocal microscopy. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients (40 eyes) were evaluated, and each group was composed of 10 patients. The expression of calpain and caspase-12 was highest in Group 4, followed by Group 3, Group 2, and Group 1 (P < .001). The expressions were significantly higher with a longer duration of DM, increased HbA1c level, or advanced DR. CONCLUSIONS: Endoplasmic reticulum stress may be associated with apoptosis of LECs, resulting in cataract formation in diabeticpatients.