In vitro assessment of the severity of deoxyribonucleic acid damage in different types of cataracts directly in lens epithelial cells

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the severity of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in lens epithelial cells (LECs) of senile cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular cataracts. METHODS: LECs were obtained from senile cortical, nuclear, and subcapsular types of cataracts after surgery. DNA damage in the cells was immediately assessed quantitatively using the CometScore™ software. RESULTS: Comets were found in cataractous LECs. The formation of “comets” in the DNA of LECs can be visualized using single-cell gel electrophoresis and indicates DNA strand breaks because the damaged DNA migrates at a different rate than the nondamaged DNA. Maximal damage was observed in Grade 3 cortical, nuclear, and subcapsular forms of cataracts. Statistically significant DNA damage was seen between grades 1 and 3 of cortical type of cataract, grades 1 and 3 of nuclear type of cataract, and grades 2 and 3 and grades 1 and 3 of posterior subcapsular type of cataract. CONCLUSION: In patients with senile cataract, DNA of LECs was randomly damaged, and this type of damage was possibly caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Maximum DNA damage was found in patients with Grade 3 senile cortical, nuclear, and subcapsular type cataracts. The pathogenesis of senile cataracts is multifactorial and includes continuous molecular stress resulting from photooxidative stress, UV irradiation, and oxidative reactions.