Advanced Glycation end product profile of Diabetic and Non-Diabetic patients with cataract

The study determined the levels of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in Nigerian cataract patients with and without diabetes mellitus, those with DM but no cataract as well as apparently healthy controls with a view to further elucidating putative pathophysiologic mechanisms for the occurrence of cataracts among our diabetic population. Participants comprised of 30 diabetic patients with operable cataract, 30 non-diabetic patients with operable cataract, 30 diabetic patients without cataract and 17 healthy controls all matched for age and sex, Glycated Haemoglobin levels in whole blood samples were determined using an affinity assay while fasting blood glucose was estimated by the glucose oxidase reaction. AGE was measured using a competitive ELISA kit while the level of lipid peroxidation in plasma was determined by measuring the reaction products between malondialdehyde and thiobarbituric acid. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software (version 23). P<0.05 was taken as significant.The age range of participants was 52-90 years with a mean of 67.2±0.8. Mean levels of AGE were comparable in patients who had diabetes and cataract, those with cataract but no diabetes and those with Diabetes but no cataracts while healthy controls of similar age group had significantly lower levels. Patients with diabetes mellitus and cataract had significantly higher levels of MDA than those with diabetes only. There was positive, significant correlation between AGE and fasting glucose levels. No significant differences existed between AGE and MDA levels in male and female respondents. We conclude that AGE may serve as a useful index of pathologic conditions, including cataract and diabetes.Keywords: Advanced Glycation End-Products; Cataract; Diabetes; Lipid Peroxidation