Tehran University Medical Journal

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Dietary antioxidant vitamins, in particular vitamin C, can play a role in preventing the onset or progression of age-related visual impairment. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma ascorbic acid levels in normal individuals and in senile cataract patients.
Methods: The test group included fifty cataract patients, while the control group members were selected among medical staff and patients' companions after age matching with test group. The use questionnaire contained age, sex and location of residency (Urban or Rural). Five milliliter of drawn blood centrifuged and plasma ascorbic acid level was measured by spectrophotometry. Statistical analysis of plasma ascorbic acid concentrations were done using paired t-test.
Results: The mean plasma ascorbic acid level intest group and incotral group was 0.96±0.08 and 1.12±0.15mg/dl respectively. Plasma ascorbic acid level in test group was significantly lower than control group (p<0.0001). Aging was associated with a reduction in plasma ascorbic acid level in male while it showed no significant alteration in females. Rural and the female gender showed higher plasma ascorbic acid level.
Conclusions: This study revealed plasma ascorbic acid level in patients with senile cataract was lower than normal individuals. Antioxidant vitamins, in particular vitamin C, found in Mediterranean fruits and vegetables could be probably used in the prevention of cataracts, which is a major health service burden in many countries.