Effect of vitamin C and E activity on surgically removed cataractous human lens epithelium cells

Abstract

Oxidative stress has been proposed as a common underlying mechanism of cataractogenesis. Experimental and observational data suggest that micronutrients like vitamin C and vitamin E with antioxidant capabilities may retard the development of age-related cataract. Effect of these factors on lens epithelium cells, center of lens metabolic activities, is not completely elucidated. The aim of present study was to examine the effect of vitamin C and E on surgically removed lens epithelium cells of patients with cataract. Capsulorhexis samples were collected from 170 patients, admitted for cataract surgery. Catalase specific activity was estimated in lens epithelium cells with and without vitamin (C or E) treatment at different concentration for different time duration. Student's t-test was employed for data analysis. We observed that in ex-vivo condition, a) both vitamin C and E bring about a decrease in catalase activity in lens epithelial cells. b) vitamin C showed toxic effect at high concentration. c) 100µM was the optimum concentration at which both vitamins showed maximum antioxidant activity. It was concluded that both vitamin C and E has direct effect on lens epithelium cells.At optimum concentration, they can reduce oxidative stress in these cells thus can support to prevent or delay cataract development.

Glutathione Improves the Antioxidant Activity of Vitamin C in Human Lens and Retinal Epithelial Cells: Implications for Vitreous Substitutes

“…While vitamin C has been noted as a vital antioxidant in the vitreous humor, it was shown to be toxic to lens and retinal epithelial cells and cause lens protein crosslinking at physiological concentrations (1-2 mM) in vitro. 3,26,[52][53][54][55] Vitamin C also degrades rapidly in solution, limiting its long-term effectiveness. We proposed to use glutathione in conjunction with vitamin C to prolong the antioxidant activity of vitamin C and curtail its cytotoxicity at high concentrations.…”

“…Previous studies corroborate the presented data and showed that 0.1 mM was the optimal concentration at preventing oxidative damage. 54,55 Since the reported concentration of vitamin C in the vitreous is between 1 and 2 mM, there must be an explanation for this discrepancy. The hydrogel vitreous substitute did not provide significant reduction to the ROS activity of lens cells compared to the control.…”

A Hydrogel Vitreous Substitute that Releases Antioxidant

“…PEGDA‐ co ‐PEGMA hydrogel loaded with vitamin C resulted in the lowest ROS activity, followed by PEGDA hydrogel loaded with vitamin C, and vitamin C alone. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and has been shown to protect cells from ROS . Cells treated with vitamin C showed reduced ROS activity, as anticipated.…”