Address of Corresponding Author

Ann Nutr Metab 2006;50:51-53 (DOI: 10.1159/000089565)

  Key Words

• Cataract, age-related
• Zinc
• Aqueous humor

  Abstract

Age-related cataract is an ever-increasing health problem among the elderly population worldwide. In recent years, there has been speculation that the levels of micronutrients in ocular tissue may play a role in the pathogenesis of cataract, especially zinc, since it is found in high concentrations in the eye tissues, including the aqueous humor. 44 subjects diagnosed with cataract were chosen for study and matched with 21 healthy controls to determine the concentration of zinc in aqueous humor. The findings revealed that a significantly higher concentration of zinc was present in the aqueous humor of our study population compared to controls (p < 0.001). These findings, in agreement with several previous studies, amplify the need for further investigation to determine if these higher levels are in actuality a consequence of the disease or a factor in the formation of cataract.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

I. Nourmohammadi, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and
Molecular Research Center, College of Medicine, Crossroads of Hemmat and
Chamran Expressways, Iran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services
Tehran (Iran), Tel. +98 21 8054365, Fax +98 21 8054355
E-Mail cmrc_iums@yahoo.com, Issa54pr@yahoo.com

  Article Information

Received: April 4, 2005
Accepted: July 14, 2005
Published online: November 7, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 3
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 29