Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0086543 (cataract)
 29,165 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Wilson's disease, or hepatolenticular degeneration, is a rare inherited disorder of copper metabolism which usually affects young people. Excess copper accumulates in the tissues, primarily in the liver, brain, and cornea. This copper deposition results in a wide range of hepatic and neurological symptoms, and may produce psychiatric illness. Hepatic involvement often occurs in childhood, while neurological deficits generally are detected at a later age. The disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. Ocular findings are of particular importance because the corneal copper deposition, forming the Kayser-Fleischer ring,is the only pathognomonic sign of the disease. The structure of the ring and the presence of copper have been well established. An anterior capsular deposition of copper in the lens results in a characteristic sunflower cataract in some of these patients. Other ocular abnormalities have been described but are much less common. The pathogenesis of the disease and the basic genetic defect remain obscure. It is clear that there is excess copper in the tissues, but the mechanism of its deposition is unknown. It is in some way associated with a failure to synthesize the serum copper protein ceruloplasmin normally. Another theory suggests that an abnormal protein with a high affinity for copper may bind the metal in the tissues. The diagnosis may be suggested by the clinical manifestations and confirmed by the presence of a Kayser-Fleischer ring. In the absence of these findings biochemical determinations are necessary. The most important of these are the serum ceruloplasmin, the urinary copper, and the hepatic copper concentration on biopsy. Treatment consists in the administration of the copper chelating agent, penicillamine, and the avoidance of a high copper intake. This usually results in marked clinical improvement if irreversible tissue damage has not occurred. Maintenance therapy for life is necessary in order to continue the negative copper balance. The detection and prophylactic treatment of asymptomatic individuals with the disease is especially important. Seven cases of Wilson's disease have been presented in order to illustrate many of the features which have been discussed, with emphasis on the ocular findings.
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PMID:Wilson's disease (hepatolenticular degeneration). 102 89

Many reports have pointed out that oxidative damage and disturbances in antioxidant defense systems of the lenses may play an important role in the development of cataract. In the present study the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, catalase and the level of glutathione and lipid peroxides were measured in red blood cells of galactosaemic children with cataract and without cataract. Furthermore the serum antioxidant activity and the level of uric acid. ceruloplasmin and transferrin in serum were estimated. It was found that in red blood cells of galactosaemic children with cataract the activity of glutathione reductase was slightly lower than in a control age-matched group of children and in galactosaemic children without cataract. The increase of serum antioxidant activity in both groups of galactosaemic children was also observed. Probably it could be due to the increase of the level of ceruloplasmin. Except glutathione reductase activity no other differences were found in the investigated components of the antioxidant defense systems of red blood cells and serum between galactosaemic children with cataract and those without cataract. Therefore it seems that red blood cells and serum metabolism are no good reflections of disturbances in antioxidant defense mechanisms which may be involved in the cataract development in galactosaemic children.
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PMID:Red blood cells and serum antioxidant defense systems of galactosaemic children. 208 Sep 1

Native proteins in the aqueous humor and serum from 4 patients with cataract and 2 patients with central artery occlusion were studied using micro two-dimensional isoelectric focusing-gradient gel electrophoresis combined with silver staining. A total of 51 protein spots were detected in the aqueous humor and the standard map of distribution pattern of the native proteins was established. Transferrin, albumin, alpha 2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, IgA and IgG were identified by an enzyme immunoassay. As a whole, the protein pattern of the aqueous humor is comparable with the pattern of the serum, except for marked quantitative differences. Most aqueous humor components have their corresponding spots found in the serum. However, there are some spots detected only in the aqueous humor but not in the serum. These spots were identified as transferrin. It is already known that the tau fraction (a desialized form of transferrin, absent in serum) is found in an extra band in the electrophoretic patterns of cerebrospinal fluid and vitreous humor. Therefore, the samples were treated with neuraminidase to determine whether or not the different aqueous transferrin spots were the tau fraction. Serum transferrin and certain aqueous transferrin spots (corresponding to serum transferrin in electrophoretic position) were transformed to tau fraction after treatment. However, some other aqueous transferrin spots (tau fraction and unreported transferrin) remained unchanged. This indicated that, in the aqueous humor, there are three kinds of transferrin molecules: ordinary serum transferrin, tau fraction and characteristic aqueous humor transferrin. Soluble proteins in the extracts of ciliary processes, iris, vitreous humor, sensory retina and lens were also studied. The characteristic transferrin pattern seen in the aqueous humor was observed only in the vitreous humor. The ciliary processes and iris revealed an identical transferrin pattern as in the serum. alpha 2-Macroglobulin, that has been thought to be too large to pass the blood-aqueous barrier, was detected in all of the aqueous humor samples. Certain larger serum proteins were observed to have their corresponding spots in the aqueous, whereas certain smaller ones were not found. These findings strongly suggested that the aqueous humor proteins are not a simple ultrafiltrate of the serum. Active transport and/or local synthesis of proteins may play important roles in determining the constitution of the proteins in the aqueous humor.
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PMID:Comparative study of native proteins in aqueous humor and serum--detection of characteristic aqueous humor proteins. 244 32

The activity of Na+,K+ATPase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, ceruloplasmin, total antioxidative activity of water-soluble antioxidants, the contents of vitamins C and E, free amino-nitrogen and peroxide resistance of erythrocytes were determined at the blood's plasma of healthy persons (120 persons) and suffered from aged cataract (437 persons) of three aged groups (up to 40 years, 40-60 years and elder then 60 years). We have shown, that changes, which has been connected with cataractogenesis and age dependent changes are not equal. The lowering of activity of Na+,K(+)-ATPase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and level of vitamin E was expressed less during the ageing, then during the development of lenses opacification. The increase of activity of oxidase during the cataractogenesis is less significant, then age depended inhibition of this enzyme. The opposite tendency (the lowering of activity at the patients with cataract is more expressed, then compensatory activations of these parameters at the persons of the corresponding age with transparent lenses) was revealed for total antioxidative activity of water-soluble antioxidants.
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PMID:[Biochemical blood parameters in people with a normal crystalline lens and in cataracts]. 1044 69

On the basis of the data about possible potentiation of polychromatic light cataractogenic effect by adrenaline and dimethylsulfoxide preparations, obtained by us earlier (increasing of animals number with changes of lenses and metabolic disturbances, of the first clinical signs of cataract in more earlier terms, more rapid development occurred in lenses opacities, more intensive changes of lenses substance), we have studied some biochemical parameters (peroxide resistance of erythrocyte, the level of free amine nitrogen, activity of Na,K-ATP-ase, gamma-glutamiltranspeptidase, ceruloplasmin) in blood, liver and tissues of rabbits eyes, during modelling of the light cataract on the background of supplementary application of adrenalin and dimethylsulfoxide. It was shown that one of the possible mechanisms of cocataractogenic action of the studied substances is the revealed fact of increasing the metabolic systems disturbances, caused by long-term irradiation of the animals.
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PMID:[Potentiation of the cataractogenic effect of light by dimethylsulfoxide and adrenaline]. 1203 17

The number of new genes implicated in iron metabolism has dramatically increased during the last few years. Alterations of these genes may cause hyperferritinemia associated or not with iron overload. Correct assignment of the specific disorder of iron metabolism requires the identification of the causative gene mutation. Here, we propose a rational strategy that allows targeting the gene(s) to be screened for a diagnostic purpose. This strategy relies on the age of onset of the disease, the type of clinical symptoms, the biochemical profile (elevated or normal serum transferrin saturation (TfSat)), the presence or not of visceral iron excess, and the mode of inheritance (autosomal recessive or dominant). Then, two main entities can be differentiated: genetic (adult or juvenile) hemochromatosis characterized by elevated TfSat, and hereditary hyperferritinemias where TfSat is normal (or only slightly modified). Adult genetic hemochromatosis (GH) is related mainly to mutations of the HFE gene, and exceptionally to mutations of the TFR2 gene. Juvenile GH is a rare condition related principally to mutations of the HJV gene coding for hemojuvelin, and rarely to mutations of the HAMP gene coding for hepcidin. Hereditary hyperferritinemias are linked to mutations of three genes: the L-ferritin gene responsible for the hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome (without iron overload), the ferroportin gene leading to a dominant form of iron overload, and the ceruloplasmin (CP) gene corresponding to an iron overload syndrome with neurological symptoms. The proposed strategic approach may change with the identification of other genes involved in iron metabolism.
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PMID:The evaluation of hyperferritinemia: an updated strategy based on advances in detecting genetic abnormalities. 1584 97

Deficiencies of different proteins involved in copper metabolism have been reported to cause human diseases. Well-known syndromes, for example, are Menkes and Wilson diseases. Here we report a patient presenting with congenital cataract, severe muscular hypotonia, developmental delay, sensorineural hearing loss and cytochrome-c oxidase deficiency with repeatedly low copper and ceruloplasmin levels. These findings were suggestive of a copper metabolism disorder. In support of this, the patient's fibroblasts showed an increased copper uptake with normal retention. Detailed follow-up examinations were performed. Immunoblotting for several proteins including ATP7A (MNK or Menkes protein), ATP7B (Wilson protein) and SOD1 showed normal results, implying a copper metabolism defect other than Wilson or Menkes disease. Sequence analysis of ATOX1 and genes coding for proteins that are known to play a role in the mitochondrial copper metabolism (COI-III, SCO1, SCO2, COX11, COX17, COX19) revealed no mutations. Additional disease genes that have been associated with cytochrome-c oxidase deficiency were negative for mutations as well. As beneficial effects of copper histidinate supplementation have been reported in selected disorders of copper metabolism presenting with low serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels, we initiated a copper histidinate supplementation. Remarkable improvement of clinical symptoms was observed, with complete restoration of cytochrome-c oxidase activity in skeletal muscle.
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PMID:Congenital cataract, muscular hypotonia, developmental delay and sensorineural hearing loss associated with a defect in copper metabolism. 1590 51

Iron is essential for many metabolic processes but can also cause damage. As a potent generator of hydroxyl radical, the most reactive of the free radicals, iron can cause considerable oxidative stress. Since iron is absorbed through diet but not excreted except through menstruation, total body iron levels buildup with age. Macular iron levels increase with age, in both men and women. This iron has the potential to contribute to retinal degeneration. Here we present an overview of the evidence suggesting that iron may contribute to retinal degenerations. Intraocular iron foreign bodies cause retinal degeneration. Retinal iron buildup resulting from hereditary iron homeostasis disorders aceruloplasminemia, Friedreich's ataxia, and panthothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration cause retinal degeneration. Mice with targeted mutation of the iron exporter ceruloplasmin have age-dependent retinal iron overload and a resulting retinal degeneration with features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Post mortem retinas from patients with AMD have more iron and the iron carrier transferrin than age-matched controls. Over the past 10 years much has been learned about the intricate network of proteins involved in iron handling. Many of these, including transferrin, transferrin receptor, divalent metal transporter-1, ferritin, ferroportin, ceruloplasmin, hephaestin, iron-regulatory protein, and histocompatibility leukocyte antigen class I-like protein involved in iron homeostasis (HFE) have been found in the retina. Some of these proteins have been found in the cornea and lens as well. Levels of the iron carrier transferrin are high in the aqueous and vitreous humors. The functions of these proteins in other tissues, combined with studies on cultured ocular tissues, genetically engineered mice, and eye exams on patients with hereditary iron diseases provide clues regarding their ocular functions. Iron may play a role in a broad range of ocular diseases, including glaucoma, cataract, AMD, and conditions causing intraocular hemorrhage. While iron deficiency must be prevented, the therapeutic potential of limiting iron-induced ocular oxidative damage is high. Systemic, local, or topical iron chelation with an expanding repertoire of drugs has clinical potential.
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PMID:Iron homeostasis and toxicity in retinal degeneration. 1792 Oct 41

BACKGROUND The aim of this article was to describe the role of ceruloplasmin and to report preliminary results of ceruloplasmin concentrations in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) with cataract and in patients with only cataract. Glaucoma, a neurodegenerative disease, is a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGC), their axons, progressive optic nerve damage, and visual field deterioration. MATERIAL AND METHODS The POAG group included 30 patients and the cataract group included 25 patients. RESULTS Ceruloplasmin plays an essential role in iron metabolism and inactivating free radicals. In the presented pilot study, serum ceruloplasmin level was lower in the POAG group in comparison to the group with only cataract. CONCLUSIONS In treating persistent inflammation in the course of glaucoma, antiglaucoma drugs may increase the permeability of the blood-ocular barrier, which may be connected with the lower concentration of serum ceruloplasmin in the glaucoma patients group.
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PMID:Determination of Serum Ceruloplasmin Concentration in Patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma with Cataract and Patients with Cataract Only: A Pilot Study. 2710 47

Huppke -Brendel syndrome is a new addition to the evolving spectrum of copper metabolism defects. It is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital cataract, impaired hearing, and developmental delay with low copper and ceruloplasmin. It is caused by defects in SLC33A1 that codes for acetyl CoA transporter protein. Reports on variation in this gene causing human disease is extremely scarce and the metabolic link between this gene and copper metabolism is yet to be identified. Here we report a seven months old infant with Huppke-Brendel Syndrome. In addition to the already reported features, he also had hypo pigmented hair and hypogonadism. His magnetic resonance imaging revealed hypo myelination and cerebellar hypoplasia. Clinical exome sequencing revealed a homozygous two base pair deletion, c.542_543delTG (p.Val181GlyfsTer6) in exon 1 of the SLC33A1. This report expands the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of Huppke Brendel syndrome.
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PMID:Huppke-Brendel syndrome in a seven months old boy with a novel 2-bp deletion in SLC33A1. 2730 58


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