Contribution of glucose and its metabolites to diabetic cataracts

摘要

Despite extensive research, the mechanisms responsible for diabetic cataract formation are still unknown. While recent data have favoured non‐enzymatic glycation as the most likely mechanism, there is relatively little information on the types of glycolytic metabolites and die way in which they are involved in diabetic cataracts.This study has a twofold purpose. First, it briefly reviews some of die mechanisms believed to be involved in diabetic cataracts. Second, two hypodieses are presented implicating glycolytic metabolites as major contributors to diabetic, as well as age‐related cataract formation.The first hypodiesis suggests that excess glucose and fructose build up during diabetes, accelerating die process of age‐related cataract formation so diat the opacities appear much earlier in life dian they otherwise would. The second hypothesis proposes Uiat die progressive interaction between triose phosphates widi lens proteins, or odier lens constituents, contributes to human age related cataract formation. (Clin Exp Optom1993; 76: 6:20