Electron Microscopic Investigation of Anterior Lens Capsule and Epithelium in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus
- 1 Department of Retinal Diseases and Vitreoretinal Surgery, Ulucanlar Eye Educationand Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
- 2 Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
- 3 Ulucanlar Eye Educationand Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
- 4 Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
- 5 Ulucanlar Eye Educationand Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the histopathologic alterations of organelles in the epithelium of the anterior lens capsule. Methods: The interventional study included 26 eyes; of which 11 had non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (diabetic group) and cataract, and 15 had age-related cataract (control group). We investigated the anterior lens capsule in patients with diabetes mellitus by using electron microscopy and to compare it between diabetic eyes and healthy eyes. Anterior capsule samples were obtained by circular continuous capsulorhexis during phacoemulsification procedures. All the samples were fixed and conventionally processed for electron microscopy analysis. Results: Demographic characteristics of the diabetic group and the control group were similar (p > 0.05). In the diabetic group, electron dense cells with an apoptotic appearance were seen and these cells had an apoptotic nucleus and prominent mitochondrial crystalysis. In addition, there was dilatation of the endoplasmic reticulum cistern. In the control group, lens epithelial cells and all their elements had a normal pattern. Neither cells with an apoptotic appearance nor mitochondrial crystalysis was seen, but there was dilatation of the endoplasmic reticulum cistern. Conclusions: Diabetes mellitus can engender structural abnormalities of organelles in the epithelium of the anterior lens capsule including mitochondrial crystalysis, dilatation of the endoplasmic reticulum cistern and apoptotic dense nucleus. It can be suggested that diabetes mellitus affects organelles of anterior lens epithelium in eyes with cataracts, while it causes non-proliferative changes in the retina.
- Brian, G. and Taylor, H. (2001) Cataract Blindness—Challenges for the 21st Century. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 79, 249-256.
- Sayin, N., Kara, N. and Pekel, G. (2015) Ocular Complications of Diabetes Mellitus. World Journal of Diabetes, 6, 92-108. https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v6.i1.92
- Tang, W.H., Martin, K.A. and Hwa, J. (2012) Aldose Reductase, Oxidative Stress, and Diabetic Mellitus. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 3, 87. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2012.00087
- Snow, A., Shieh, B., Chang, K.C., Pal, A., Lenhart, P., Ammar, D., Ruzycki, P., Palla, S., Reddy, G.B. and Petrash, J.M. (2015) Aldose Reductase Expression as a Risk Factor for Cataract. Chemico-Biological Interactions, 234, 247-253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2014.12.017
- Hashim, Z. and Zarina, S. (2012) Osmotic Stress Induced Oxidative Damage: Possible Mechanism of Cataract Formation in Diabetes. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, 26, 275-279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2012.04.005
- Danysh, B.P. and Duncan, M.K. (2009) Thelens Capsule. Experimental Eye Research, 88, 151-164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2008.08.002
- Danysh, B.P., Patel, T.P., Czymmek, K.J., Edwards, D.A., Wang, L., Pande, J. and Duncan, M.K. (2010) Characterizing Molecular Diffusion in the Lens Capsule. Matrix Biology, 29, 228-236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matbio.2009.12.004
- Cohen, A.I. (1965) The Electron Microscopy of the Normal Human Lens. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 4, 433-446.
- Truscott, R.J. (2005) Age-Related Nuclear Cataract-Oxidation Is the Key. Experimental Eye Research, 80, 709-725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2004.12.007
- Bhat, S.P. (2001) The Ocular Lens Epithelium. Bioscience Reports, 21, 537-563. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017952128502
- Kuszak, J.R., Clark, J.I., Cooper, K.E. and Rae, J.L. (2008)Biology of the Lens: Lens Transparency as a Function of Embryology, Anatomy, and Physiology. In: Azar, D.T. and Rosen, E.S., Eds., Albert & Jakobiec’s Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology, 3rd Edition, Elsevier, Philadelphia, 1291-1339.
- Ovalle, W.K. and Nahirney, P.C. (2013) The Cell. In: Netter’s Essential Histology, 2nd Edition, Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia, 1, 1-28.
- Andjelic, S., Draslar, K., Hvala, A., Lopic, N., Strancar, J. and Hawlina, M. (2015) Anterior Lens Epithelial Cells Attachment to the Basal Lamina. Acta Ophthalmologica, 94, e183-188. https://doi.org/10.1111/aos.12902