{"title":"The impact of vitreous humor: a new perspective on radiation-induced cataractogenesis.","authors":"Ecem Yigit, Irem Koc, Gozde Yazici, Ekim Gumeler, Aysenur Elmali, Alper Kahvecioglu, Fazli Yagiz Yedekci, Samiye Yabanoglu Ciftci, Meltem Karatas, Aysima Sezer, Hayyam Kiratli, Mustafa Cengiz","doi":"10.1007/s00066-025-02468-y","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The precise mechanisms underlying radiation-induced cataractogenesis remain incompletely understood. Increased oxidative stress is known to play a central role in cataract pathogenesis. The vitreous humor contributes to maintaining the hypoxic environment of the lens by regulating oxygen pressure and containing antioxidants. This study aims to explore the effect of radiation-induced changes in the vitreous humor on lens health, with a particular focus on its cataractogenic potential.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this experimental study, 12 New Zealand rabbits were utilized. A single 20-Gy dose of radiation was administered to the left eye's vitreous humor with a lens-sparing technique, while the right eye served as a control. Monthly ophthalmological evaluations were conducted over a 3-month period. At the end of the follow-up, orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. Vitreous humor samples were analyzed using spectrophotometric methods to determine total oxidant and antioxidant levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Cataract formation was observed in two of the eight irradiated eyes (25%). The MRI analysis revealed a significant reduction in signal intensity within the left eye's aqueous humor in non-contrast sequences (p = 0.03), while an increase in signal intensity was observed in late post-contrast sequences (p = 0.04). Spectrophotometric analysis indicated that total oxidant levels (p = 0.04) and the oxidative stress index (p = 0.04) were significantly lower in the treatment group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings suggest that radiation-induced changes in the vitreous humor and posterior ocular structures may influence the anterior chamber, contributing to the development of radiation-induced cataracts.</p>","PeriodicalId":21998,"journal":{"name":"Strahlentherapie und Onkologie","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Strahlentherapie und Onkologie","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-025-02468-y","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"ONCOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: The precise mechanisms underlying radiation-induced cataractogenesis remain incompletely understood. Increased oxidative stress is known to play a central role in cataract pathogenesis. The vitreous humor contributes to maintaining the hypoxic environment of the lens by regulating oxygen pressure and containing antioxidants. This study aims to explore the effect of radiation-induced changes in the vitreous humor on lens health, with a particular focus on its cataractogenic potential.
Methods: In this experimental study, 12 New Zealand rabbits were utilized. A single 20-Gy dose of radiation was administered to the left eye's vitreous humor with a lens-sparing technique, while the right eye served as a control. Monthly ophthalmological evaluations were conducted over a 3-month period. At the end of the follow-up, orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. Vitreous humor samples were analyzed using spectrophotometric methods to determine total oxidant and antioxidant levels.
Results: Cataract formation was observed in two of the eight irradiated eyes (25%). The MRI analysis revealed a significant reduction in signal intensity within the left eye's aqueous humor in non-contrast sequences (p = 0.03), while an increase in signal intensity was observed in late post-contrast sequences (p = 0.04). Spectrophotometric analysis indicated that total oxidant levels (p = 0.04) and the oxidative stress index (p = 0.04) were significantly lower in the treatment group.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that radiation-induced changes in the vitreous humor and posterior ocular structures may influence the anterior chamber, contributing to the development of radiation-induced cataracts.
期刊介绍：
Strahlentherapie und Onkologie, published monthly, is a scientific journal that covers all aspects of oncology with focus on radiooncology, radiation biology and radiation physics. The articles are not only of interest to radiooncologists but to all physicians interested in oncology, to radiation biologists and radiation physicists. The journal publishes original articles, review articles and case studies that are peer-reviewed. It includes scientific short communications as well as a literature review with annotated articles that inform the reader on new developments in the various disciplines concerned and hence allow for a sound overview on the latest results in radiooncology research.
Founded in 1912, Strahlentherapie und Onkologie is the oldest oncological journal in the world. Today, contributions are published in English and German. All articles have English summaries and legends. The journal is the official publication of several scientific radiooncological societies and publishes the relevant communications of these societies.
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