HAIR AND SERUM TRACE ELEMENT AND MINERAL LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH AGE-RELATED CATARACT

The objective of the present study was to assess hair and serum trace element levels in patients with age-related cataracts and healthy controls with adjustments for the presence of other comorbidities.A total of 121 adults, including 61 patients with agerelated cataracts and 60 subjects without eye diseases, were examined.Age, sex, body mass index and other comorbidities were registered.Serum and hair essential trace elements (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, I, Li, Mn, Mo, Se, V, Zn) and mineral (Mg, Ca) levels were evaluated using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.The obtained data demonstrate that circulating Mn, Se, V and Zn levels in patients with cataracts were 9% (p = 0.009), 10% (p = 0.001), 15% (p = 0.003) and 7% (p = 0.015) lower when compared to the subjects without eye pathology.In hair only, the Zn level in patients with cataracts was significantly 13% (p = 0.005) lower when compared to eye disease-free controls.In serum and hair samples, the levels of Co were significantly lower in cataract patients than in controls by 16% (p = 0.068) and 25% (p = 0.062), respectively.Multiple linear regression demonstrated that after adjustment for age, sex, BMI and the presence of other comorbidities, only serum Se and Zn levels were significantly associated with a diagnosis of cataract.The obtained data demonstrate that low serum zinc, especially selenium levels, are independently associated with an increased risk of cataracts. RezumatObiectivul studiului a fost de a evalua nivelurile de oligoelemente din pr i ser la pacienii cu cataract asociat vrstei.Au fost examinai un total de 121 de aduli, dintre care 61 de pacieni cu cataract i 60 de voluntari sntoi fr patologii oculare.Au fost nregistrate vrsta, sexul, indicele de mas corporal i alte comorbiditi.Nivelurile de oligoelemente eseniale din ser i pr (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, I, Li, Mn, Mo, Se, V, Zn) i minerale (Mg, Ca) au fost evaluate utiliznd spectrometria de mas cu plasm cuplat inductiv.Datele obinute demonstreaz c nivelurile circulante de Mn, Se, V i Zn la pacienii cu cataract au fost cu 9% (p = 0,009), 10% (p = 0,001), 15% (p = 0,003) i 7% (p = 0,015) mai sczute comparativ cu subiecii fr patologie ocular.Numai n pr, nivelul de Zn la pacienii cu cataract a fost semnificativ cu 13% (p = 0,005) mai sczut n comparaie cu grupul control fr afeciuni oculare.n probele de ser i pr, nivelurile de Co au fost semnificativ mai sczute la pacienii cu cataract cu 16% (p = 0,068) i, respectiv, 25% (p = 0,062).Regresia liniar multipl a demonstrat c, dup ajustarea variabilelor vrst, sex, IMC i prezena altor comorbiditi, numai nivelurile serice de Se i Zn au fost asociate semnificativ cu diagnosticul de cataract.Datele obinute demonstreaz c nivelurile sczute de zinc seric i, n special, de seleniu, sunt asociate independent cu un risc crescut de cataract.