Al-Saraireh F, Hamad A. W. R, Magarbeh M. K. M, AL-Hujran T. A, Elfalah M. Analysis of Metals in Cataract Fluid of Jordanian Patients by Using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry. Biomed Pharmacol J 2022;15(1).

---

Manuscript received on :26-01-2022
Manuscript accepted on :19-03-2022
Published online on: 01-04-2022

---

Plagiarism Check: Yes
Reviewed by: Dr. Ahmed Salah
Second Review by: Dr. Cherry Bansal
Final Approval by: Dr. H Fai Poon

---

How to Citeclose    |   Publication History close

 Views: 

Visited 386 times, 1 visit(s) today

 

 PDF Downloads: 

267

Fawaz Al-Saraireh¹, Abdul-Wahab R. Hamad^2*, Mousa Khames Mezel Magarbeh², Tayel A. AL-Hujran², and Mutasem Elfalah¹

¹College of Medicine, Mutah University, Al-Karak, Jordan.

²College of Pharmacy, Mutah University, Al-Karak, Jordan.

Corresponding Author E-mail: wahabhamad2004@yahoo.com

DOI : https://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bpj/2392

Abstract

Background: The study was completed to determine the level of the following metals (Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Phosphorus (P), Calcium (Ca), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Selenium (Se), and Cadmium (Cd)) in different cataractous human lenses. Materials and Methods: Five Samples had collected from the normal individuals healthy people and 25 suffered from cataracts at the Italian Hospital, Al-Karak, Jordan. This study had conducted between November 2020 and October 2021 on 30 individual subjects. Samples fluid from the Cataract sufferers had been gathered, the data was analyzed using Microsoft excels and SPSS software program new version. The trace elements concentration withinside the aspirated fluid were measured with the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry – Mass (ICP-MS), best controlled with certified standards. Results: The mean values of copper were (12.9±12.4) and (7.4±9.7) for patients and control groups respectively.   The average mean values of Cd were found to be (5.9 ±2.4) and (4.6 ± 2.4).  The cadium, copper, manganese, magnesium and potassium levels were significantly higher in the catarctous groups.  The others elements were lower in the catarctous group than control. Conclusion: Results showed significant change in some metallic elements concentration with cataract. These consequences can be beneficial for understanding and identifying the reasons that can play a function withinside the initiation and improvement of cataract. These factors deficiency may also have some suggestions to diets and diseases via its appropriate concentrations and its consequences on various organs parameters. It appears that the estimation of serum or plasma concentration of these metals may also assist in research and remedy of other diseases in both genders.

Keywords

Cataract; ICP-Mass; Lens; Metals; Trace Elements

Introduction

Cataract is the main cause of treatable blindness in the United States, in accordance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The cataract usually develops after age 55, however presenile cataract can found as well, such as some congenital cataract at birth or in association with ocular or systematic diseases.   About 18% of Americans aged forty or older (more than 25 million people) have a cataract in one or both eyes ^{1, 2, 3}.
Cataracts develops in stages, however the development of cataract depends on many factors for instance  age, exposure to UV light over a lifetime, genetic elements and some acquired risk  factors, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption or dietary deficiencies. Diabetic patients are at greater risk, as well as patients being treated with different medications as corticosteroids or phenothiazine-related medications.
However, snice the cataract develops in stages there may be a preventive or delaying measures that can delay the development of cataract.

The lens is a transparent organ behind the pupil; it is a biconvex structure to add in the function of refraction of the light ray, which is centering the eye for sharp focus of images over the retina. In the early years of life, it has also a very important function of accommodation to change between fan and near vision. The lens is made of crystalline proteins; these proteins undergo some metabolic changes with age that may lead to loss of lens transparency ^{4, 5}.

Relation among few serum biochemical factors (which includes Co, Cd, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Se, Na, K, P, and Ca) and cataract formation had been investigated ^6-8. Alteration in each of those ions ends in cation imbalance in lens, which has destructive results in cataract formation (9). Changes in degree of serum mineral attention can spark off adjustments in aqueous electrolytes levels. Since the lens metabolism is related to aqueous humor ^10-11 and this small amount of fluid itself is created from blood secretions, so serum electrolytes diploma which may additionally moreover have effect on aqueous humor metal diploma and contrary the lens metabolism but Know how associated with alteration in hint minerals is scanty.so investigating its etiology is necessary to decrease the disabilities resulting from the cataract formation to improve the life style for people and decrease its surgical burden on health services.

These alterations may be resultant from insufficient dietary consumption or result from metabolic imbalances produced by adverse or
synergistic interaction amongst metals. Some trace elements also play both healing or preventive roles in the disease course, while others have an adverse role in the development  of  diseases.

Alteration in serum Ca++, Zn and Cu level are among the proposed risk factors for cataract formation (8, 12). the lens ionic imbalance with stepped forward degrees of calcium (Ca2+) and sodium (Na+), coupled with decreased degrees of magnesium (Mg2+) and potassium (K+), is related to cataract development in human (13) . Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are among viable causative factors in development of cataract (12, 14-15).

The received consequences may be appropriate for information and figuring out the reasons, which can play a function within side the initiation and development of lens.

The objective of the study, that estimation of cataract fluid awareness of those metals may additionally help in studies and treatment of different sicknesses in each genders.

Materials and methods

Subjects

This study was carried out on 25 patients admitted to the Italian Hospital, Al-Karak, Jordan. This study had conducted between November 2020 and October 2021 on 30 individuals.

Five samples were collected from the healthy people.   Fluid of Cataract samples of patients were collected from the same hospitals. Cataract extraction was performed  by phacoemulsification using option revolution machine, where the fluids obtained through the surgery was analyzed, phacoemulsification was performed routinely, after the capsulorrhexis all ocular viscoelastic devices and stains were thoroughly washed out, phacoemulsification was completed , fluids from the machine cassette were obtained from each patient separately .   While control samples obtained from, patients who underwent clear lens extraction for refractive purposes to correct high myopia, by the same phacoemulsification procedure.  The age of patients range was 32-82 years (Table-3).

Statistical analysis

The importance variations in trace elements concentration among experimental groups become examined the use of t-test analysisat evaluation via way of means of the use of Microsoft excels and SPSS software program 19 version. A sided P value <0.05 become taken into consideration statistically extensive for the t-test a look at. The stage of elements have measured via way of means of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry-MS (ICP-Mass), satisfactory controlled with certified standards. All the imply values have been analyzed via way of means of t take a look at to decide the importance values.

The classification of instrument used for determination elements, solvents, and reagents as follow:-

Microwave digestion of Cataract Fluid for ICP-MS analysis

A one ml of Cataract Fluid sample was digested using (Milestone Ethos 900 Microwave Labstation, Cϵ) placed in PTFE bottles, a mixture of (HNO₃-H₂O₂) was added in the ratio (v/v) of 8ml  HNO₃ (69%) and 2ml H₂O₂(35% ) to the sample, then the caped vessels as placed inside the rotor bodies, sealed, tightened and subjected to the microwave digestion program, then the solution filtered and washed in 25ml volumetric polyethylene volumetric flask and completed to the mark with deionized water, the used microwave digestion program is summarized in table–1

Digested samples were analyzed for trace elements using an ICP-MS (7500a, Agilent(Japan) operating conditions for this instrument are given in the following table.

Table 1: Microwave program performed to digest the sample

ICP-MS  analysis

Digested samples were analyzed for trace elements using an ICP-MS (7500a, Agilent, (Japan) operating conditions for this instrument are given in the following table 2.

Table 2: ICP-MS conditions.

Results

We follow all conditions of ethical clearance in this recent research, which conducted to minimize the threat of damage to humans and ultimately ensure that the research leads to beneficial outcomes. 

Socio-demographic characteristics of participants.

The study had carried out on 30 patients admitted to the Italian Hospital, Jordan and five from 30 were control as healthy people. The Patients characteristics given in table-3

Table 3:  Socio-demographic characteristics of participants.

Elements Content

The experimental study covered 25 samples of fluid from the anterior chamber of eyes received from sufferers’ present process cataract surgery. The twenty-five sufferers with cataract and 5 sufferers as manipulate confirmed at Table – 4.  The degrees of elements (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Cr and Cd) inside aspect the control business enterprise have been finished to exclude age as a confounding factor.

Control patients group had significantly higher levels of Ca, Na, P, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, and Cr compared to patients with cataract.   While higher levels of following elements of K, Cu, Mg, Mn, and Cd found in samples from patients with cataract (Table – 4).  Most elements confirmed giant versions from affected person to person. The widest variety refers to macro elements consisting of calcium (42.46), sodium (2796.00), potassium (126.22), phosphorus (18.44) and magnesium (17.66). There is a significant group of cataract elements and control (P≤ 0.05). The group of macro elements covering calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, belongs to main elements and these elements occur at level between 17.66 ug/ml for magnesium and 2796 ug/ml for sodium.  The remaining elements occur at elements concentrations, though chromium and Zinc occur at about 4 and 111 ng/ml respectively.  All other microelements, such as manganese, cobalt, selenium, cadmium, selenium occur only at trace levels.

Table 4: Comparison between trace elements level in cataract patients and control group.

The group was covering, sodium, potassium, and calcium, belongs to the so-referred to as main elements, and those elements arise at a awareness among 126.22 ppm for potassium and 2796 ug/ml. for sodium. The final factors arise at hint levels, aleven though iron and zinc arise at approximately 70.13ng/ml and 111.32ng/ml respectively. All the opposite metals, in addition to the metal (selenium), arise handiest at ultra-hint levels, e.g., manganese and cobalt with approximately 5.66±3.24 and 12.88 ng/ml, respectively.

Discussion

The function of metals in physiological pastime and pathological reasons of illnesses has been of hobby to scientists for plenty years. According to contemporary works, metals moreover have a crucial function within side the pathogenesis and control of many eye illnesses. Until now, the extraordinary systems of the eyes have studied totally for the content material fabric of selected metals, along with Co, Cd, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Se and Na, K, P, Ca.   This working is ready reading a few metals present in concentrations exceeding the detection limitation of the ICP-MSS self-control method, i.e., 0.001 ppm, gift within side the fluid from the catractous lenses in the course of cataract surgical operation procedure.

The evaluation confirmed the presence of a statistically greater sequence of elements concentration at detectable levels. The classification of factors used to be made by means of a hierarchical cluster analysis. Therefore, a substantial concentration in stages aspect affected person should specific interest have to issue impact elements physiological.

This study showed that patients with cataracts elevated levels of K, Mn, Mg and Cd, while the levels of Na, P, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, and Cr were lower levels.

In this study, we determined extensively a higher lenticular concentration of P, Fe, Cu, and Pb, as well as that the concentration of K and Mg decreased in cataract sufferers. This finding found to be similar to the findings in previous studies investigating Behcet’s disease, retinitis pimentos’ and AMD ^{10, 11, 16, 17}.  Zn and Cu had distributions within the neural retina, retinal pigment epithelium and choroid (8). The essential metals Cu and Zn play main roles in retinal survival and are for the everyday functioning of antioxidant enzymes.  Decreasing oxidative stress metals as iron, promotes formation of free radicals, in particular with the retina ^{18, 19}. From our data, we observed no proof of ordinary Zn in cataract sufferers, at the least in the population of this study. This is probably because of small pattern length or distinct ethnic groups. Copper has been set up as an acute phase reactant and its concentration in serum was proven to be elevated extensively in various acute and chronic infective, inflammatory, and neoplastic diseases as a result of elevated levels of ceruloplasmin ²⁰.

Increased levels of copper in cataractous lenses with controls because of copper content material became elevated with age progression. The most common form of zinc is zinc oxide; which is unfortunately poorly absorbed. Zinc deficiency related to different forms of macular degeneration. Zinc deficiency in cataractous lenses is one of the top investigated aspects of chelated form of zinc, in comparison to chelated form of magnesium and chromium, which affects cellular metabolism via numerous mechanisms, which seems to play a critical function in retaining everyday ocular function ²³. Poor Zn consumption would possibly bring about deficiency and lack of Zn-established coenzymes related to age associated cataract. The ocular manifestations of zinc deficiency encompass altered vision, depressed electroretinograms, and oscillatory potentials, and, if the deficiency is severe, structural adjustments are detected inside the retina and retinal pigment epithelium ²⁴. Bhat, et al. ²⁵ examined in India and mentioned decrease in zinc level in sufferers in comparison to controls.

In the prevailing study, for the sufferers with cataract and glaucoma, we located better copper and decrease zinc concentrations than the values stated above. In general, copper and zinc which mentioned to be metabolically antagonists ²⁶. This helps the poor correlation, which we have observed among the copper and zinc concentrations within side the aqueous humor of the sufferers with glaucoma ²⁷.

Akyol etal. (1990) found that an excessive copper level together with a low zinc level can due to of the following factors:(1) abnormalities with within the secretion of aqueous humour ²⁸; (2) troubles inside aspect the outflow of aqueous humour through canal of Schlemmt; and (3) breakdown of the blood-aqueous humour barrier due to trauma, infection, and inflammation²⁹. In everyday instances, it determined that the blood-ocular barrier efficaciously excludes a potentially toxic more copper from the eye ³⁰. Breakdown of the barrier has validated to result in boom of copper tiers in aqueous humour, which is associated with an influx of plasma proteins into the anterior chamber ³⁰.

Copper being transitional metallic ion-catalyzed formation of hydroxyl radical that would contribute to the protein change determined in cataract and might play a function within the etiology of age-associated cataract ³¹. Copper is also appeared to enhance up lenticular opacification with the useful resource of lading damaging protein, lipid, and membranous structures.  The increase in the concentration of copper ion within the lens can be the important thing to reveal the thriller of cataract formation. Akyol, et al. (12) suggested that Cu concentrations (90-160 μg/dl) agreed with our statement coincides with Akyol. Maintenance of calcium homeostasis is important to the clarity of the lens^(32-34). The calcium content material will increase regularly with the onset and adulthood of senile cataract has been agreed to with the aid of using nearly all of the observers. In a few cataractous human lenses, calcium ranges observed to grow as a whole as thirteen fold instances that suggest the importance of the Ca2+ concentration of the everyday lens (35).  We evaluated the concentration of this metal through evaluation of samples and determined higher ranges of calcium amongst cataractous sufferers as compared to normal ones. Low level of Cr was determined in cataractous lenses. These decrease ranges may be detectable aspect for improving of the disease because it interferes with the metabolism of important metals including Fe, Mn, Ca, Zn, or Mg, which may set off the cytotoxicity and apoptosis, in addition to chromosomal aberrations and morphological transformation in the cells ^16-18.

Our findings regarding cadmium level found out appreciably better attention in hair and serum samples of cataract ones. Cadmium can also additionally hasten cataract development with the aid of using numerous mechanisms. It is understood to compete with copper within the frame and will have an effect on the copper homeostasis of blood and copper containing proteins ³⁶. Cadmium can also additionally without delay bind with lens proteins and denature them in cataract development ³⁷.

Magnesium is associated with calcium metabolism, so now and again if there’s an imbalance with the magnesium, there will be imbalance in the level of calcium. Potassium is some other important element, the right stability of fluid within the body. It facilitates normal muscle contraction and cardiac muscle contraction. It’s a key electrolyte. Selenium is a trace mineral that has a strong antioxidant effect. It is also associated with thyroid gland metabolism. It’s a key element in thyroid function stability. Chromium is an essential element that is important for glucose metabolism and insulin function. Studies have proven that humans with glaucoma have low chromium level of their red blood cells. Chromium is contained in the optic nerve structure, alongside different dietary ingredients. In the current study, it concluded that during combined cataract formation in the lense the copper concentration will increase with the age progress. This confirms the results of Nath et al. 1969, this increase became because of the inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase enzyme during the formation of cataract. The increase in copper content material in senile lenses became additionally proved by Jain and Nath. 1988. However, copper is essential for diverse metalloenzymes which includes cytochrome oxidase and aldolase, which might be crucial for the preservation of cellular growth ^{38, 39, 40}.

Limitations

Our limitations include a small sample and a selection bias of the participants arriving in our center.

The specifics limitation came to the lack of some devices we have, for example ICP-Mass

Conclusion

Findings of this study displayed a relationship between imbalances of metallic factors within cataractous lenses. However, whether or not those changes in level of metallic factors are the cause of disorder or effects of this disorder, which needs to investigated.

Acknowledgement

The authors are indebted to all those who have assisted in the research, namely the staff of Department of Ophthalmology, College of Pharmacy at Muta University.

Conflict of interest

There is no Conflict of interest

Funding Source

There is no Funding Source

References

1. Muller A, Hugh R (2007) Sun Protection in children and adolescent knowledge vs behavior. taylor Point de Vue pp. 56.
2. Thylefors B, Negrel AD, Pararajasegaram R (1995) Global data on blindness. Bull World Health Organ 73(1): 115-121.
3. Memon MS (1992) Prevalence and causes of blindness in Pakistan. J Pak Med Assoc 42: 196-198.
4. Ahmad K, Khan MD, Qureshi MB (2005) Prevalence and causes of blindness and low vision in a rural setting in Pakistan. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 12(1): 19-23.
   CrossRef
5. Donnelly CA, Seth J (1995) Some blood plasma constituents correlate with human cataract. Brit J Ophthalmol 79(11): 1036-1041.
   CrossRef
6. Rahim A, Iqbal K (2011) To assess the levels of zinc in serum and changes in the lens of diabetic and senile cataract patients. J Pak Med Assoc 61(9): 853-855.
7. Tang D, Douglas Borchman, Marta C, Yappert, Gijs F, et al. (2001) Crystalline lens. In: (eds,). Tasman W, Jeager A. Duane’s Foundations of Clinical Ophthalmology. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publishers, USA, pp. 5-11.
8. Mahmood S, Ahmad M, Ghani M (2010) Decreased serum zinc levels in patients with senile cataract. Biomedica 26: 5-8.
9. Delamere NA, Paterson CA (2001) Crystalline lens. In: (Eds.), Tasman W & Jeager A. Duane’s Foundations of Clinical Ophthalmology. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publishers, USA, pp. 5-11.
10. Atmaca LS, Arcasoy A, Cavdar AO, Ozmert E. Levels of zinc in plasma, erythrocytes, and hair, and levels of serum copper in patients with retinitis pigmentosa in turkey. Br J Ophthalmol. 1989; 73:29–31.
    CrossRef
11. Luntz M (2000) Clinical types of cataract. In: (Eds.), Tasman W & Jeager A. Duane’s Clinical Ophthalmology. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven publishers, USA, pp. 5-7.
12. Daliles MB, Kinsohita JH (1995) Pathogenesis of cataract. In: (Eds.), Tasman W & Jeager A. Duane’s Clinical Ophthalmology. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publishers, USA, pp. 2-5.
13. Akyol N, Değer O, Keha EE, Kiliç S (1990) Aqueous humour and serum zinc and copper concentrations of patients with glaucoma and cataract. Br J Ophthalmol 74(11): 661-662.
    CrossRef
14. Nagai N, Fukuhata T, Ito Y (2007) Effect of magnesium deficiency on intracellular ATP levels in human lens epithelial cells. Biol Pharm Bull 30(1): 6-10.
    CrossRef
15. Rasi V, Costantini S, Moramarco A, Giordano R, Giustolisi R, et al. (1992) Inorganic element concentrations in cataractous human lenses. Ann Ophthalmol 24(12): 459-464.
16. Srivastava VK, Varshney Na, Pandey DC (1992) Role of trace elements in senile cataract. Acta Ohthalmologica 70(6): 839-841.
    CrossRef
17. Abigail T Fahim, Stephen P Daiger, Richard G Weleber. Retinitis Pigmentosa Overview. Gene Reviews. March 21, 2013.
18. Zarbin M. Cell-Based Therapy for Degenerative Retinal Disease. Trends in Molecular Medicine. February 2016; 22(2):115-34.
    CrossRef
19. Pulido MD, Parrish AR (2003) Metal-induced apoptosis: mechanisms. Mutat Res 533(1-2): 227-241.
    CrossRef
20. Clemens F, Landolph JR (2003) Genotoxicity of Samples of Nickel Refinery Dust Toxicol. Sci. 73(1): 114-123.
    CrossRef
21. Landolph JR, Verma A, Ramnath J, Clemens F (2002) Molecular biology of deregulated gene expression in transformed C3H/10T1/2 mouse embryo cell lines induced by specific insoluble carcinogenic nickel compounds. Environ Health Perspect 110(Suppl 5): 845-850.
    CrossRef
22. Verma R, Ramnath J, Clemens F, Kaspin LC, Landolph JR (2004). Molecular biology of nickel carcinogenesis: identification of differentially expressed genes in morphologically transformed C3H10T1/2 Cl 8 mouse embryo fibroblast cell lines induced by specific insoluble nickel compounds. Mol. Cell. Biochem 255(1-2): 203-216.
    CrossRef
23. Grahn BH, Paterson PG, Gottschall-Pass KT, Zhang Z (2001) Zinc and the Eye. J Ameri Coll Nutr 20(2 Suppl): 106-118.
    CrossRef
24. Nourmohammadi I, Mirsamadi M (2004) Serum zinc and copper concentration In human age-related cataract. Middle Eastern journal of age and ageing 1(2).
25. Bhat KS (1988) Plasma calcium and trace metals in human subjects with mature cataract. Nutr. Rev. Internat 37: 157-163.
26. Geir Bjørklund . The role of zinc and copper in autism spectrum disorders. Acta Neurobiol Exp 2013, 73: 225–23627.
27. McGahan MC, Bito LZ. Determination of copper concentration in blood plasma and in ocular and cerebrospinal fluids using graphite furnace atomic Absorption spectroscopy.AnalBiochem 1983; 135: 186-92
    CrossRef
28. Gerhard JP, Calme P, Kraeminger E. A propos du zinc de I’humeur aqueuse. Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd 1980; 176:652-4.
    CrossRef
29. Caprioli J. The ciliary epithelia and aqueous humour. In: Moses RA, Hart WM, eds. Adler’s physiology of the eye. Clinical Application.St Louis: Mosby, 1987: 204–22.
30. Cook CS, Grubb B. Experimental hypercupremia does not result in increases in copper in levels, iris orocular fluids. CurrEyeRes1986; 5:171-3.
    CrossRef
31. Garner B, Davies MJ, Truscott RJW (2000) Formation of hydroxyl radicals in the human lens is related to the severity of nuclear cataract. Exp Eye Res 70(1): 81-88.
    CrossRef
32. Hightower KR (1985) Cytotoxic effects of internal calcium on lens physiology: a review. Curr Eye Res 4(4): 453-459.
    CrossRef
33. Duncan G, Williams MR, Riach RA (1994) Calcium, cell signaling and cataract. Prog Retinal Eye Res 12: 623-651.
    CrossRef
34. Clark JI, Mengel L, Bagg A, Benedek GB (1980) Cortical opacity, Ca concentration and fiber membrane structure. Exp Eye Res 31(4): 399- 341.
    CrossRef
35. Duncan G, Bushell AR (1975) Ion analysis of human cataractous lenses. Exp Eye Res 20(3): 223-230.
    CrossRef
36. Marklund SL (1986) Superoxide dismutase in human tissue cells and extracellular fluids, clinical implication. Free radicals aging and degenerative disease. Alan R Liss, New York, USA, pp. 509.
37. Ramakrishnan S, Sulochana KN, Selvaraj T, Abdul Rahim A, Lakshmi M, et al. (1995) Smoking of beedies and cataract: cadmium and vitamin C in the lens and blood. Br J Ophthalmol 79(3): 202-206.
    CrossRef
38. Nath R, Srivastava SK, Singh K. Copper levels in human cataract lens. Ind.j ExpBiol 1969; 7: 25-8.
39. Jain IS, Nath R. Zinc and copper levels in human senile cataractous lens. Proc Symp Recent Adv Biochem Cataracts 1988; 9-17.
40. Shlopak TV. Chemistry of the crystalline traces within the normal and pathological states II. Chemical factors within the blood and crystalline lenses of cataract patients. Ophthalmology 1962; 17: 247-51.