Is the Oxidative DNA Damage Level of Human Lens Epithelial Cells Correlated with the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) in Aqueous Extract of HLECs in Senile Cataract Patients?

Background: Various experimental evidence suggests that in cataract pathogenesis oxidative stress plays an important role in causing DNA damage, but there is still a lack of data on in vivo assessment of DNA damage and the role of antioxidants. Objectives: To measure the percentage of DNA damage and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of patients with cataracts directly in human lens epithelial cells and compare these with a control group followed by whether there is any statistical correlation between oxidative DNA damage and total antioxidant status in senile cataract patients. Patients and methods: A total number of capsulorhexis from thirty senile cataract cases aged 50-80 years, who were admitted to the ophthalmology ward of AVBRH for cataract surgery, were used for in vitro assessment of DNA damage in human lens epithelial cells by Comet assay and TAC assays. 12 controls were collected from healthy cadavers who or their relatives donated their eyes for TAC assays. Results : Oxidative DNA damage level of human lens epithelial cells is not correlated with the TAC in aqueous extract of HLECs in senile cataract patients . Conclusion: The conclusion in the present study should not be taken that supplementing antioxidants through diet has no role in the prevention of oxidative DNA damage against oxidants. There may be another mechanism may be responsible for oxidative DNA damage.