Difference in Redox Status of Serum and Aqueous Humor in Senile Cataract Patients as Monitored via the Albumin Thiol-Redox State

Purpose: To clarify the redox states of the aqueous humor and serum in senile cataract patients. Methods: We analyzed the reduced and oxidized albumin fractions in 58 patients. The patients had no detectable evidence of other eye or systemic diseases and were divided into two age groups (53-75 and 76-96 years). Analysis was performed with a high-performance liquid chromatographic system with a fluorescence detector. Results: Extremely small amounts of reduced albumin (3.8% and 3.6% in the younger and older groups, respectively) and markedly large amounts of oxidized albumin (96.2% and 96.4%, respectively) were found in the aqueous humor. Moreover, a higher percentage of oxidized albumin, particularly a highly oxidized irreversible form of albumin, was found in the aqueous humor (12.3% and 12.0%) than in the serum (2.4% and 3.0%). Conclusions: In senile cataract patients with no complications, the redox state of albumin in the aqueous humor differs considerably, both quantitatively and qualitatively, from that in the serum. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2010;54:584-588 (C) Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2010