Posters

Peroral caffeine intake prevents ultraviolet radiation induced apoptosis in lens epithelial cells

Poster Details

First Author: M.Ruiss AUSTRIA

Co Author(s): M. Kronschläger   T. Dechat   O. Findl              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

In experimental and epidemiological studies it was shown that caffeine can prevent cataract progression. This is probably due to the capability of the molecule to scavenge reactive oxygen species. In one of our previous studies it was shown that peroral caffeine intake leads to a dose-dependent accumulation of caffeine in the human lens capsule and lens epithelial cells (LEC). Hence, this study aimed to determine if caffeine concentration in LEC achieved from peroral caffeine intake inhibit ultraviolet radiation (UVR) induced apoptosis in these cells.

Setting:

Vienna Institute for Research in Ocular Surgery (VIROS), a Karl-Landsteiner-Institute, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna.

Methods:

Patients scheduled for bilateral cataract surgery with caffeine abstinence of 1 week before surgery of each eye were included in this study. At the day of the surgery of the second eye, patients received 180 mg caffeine shortly before the surgery. Lens capsules including LEC were transferred to a cell culture dish, exposed to close to threshold UVR, and analysed by TUNEL staining after 24 hours.

Results:

TUNEL positive cells were detected in both lens capsules after caffeine intake and lens capsules of the control lenses. The mean difference of TUNEL positive cells between caffeine intake and contralateral control lenses resulted in a 95% CI 15.3 ± 10.4 % (degrees of freedom: 16).

Conclusions:

Peroral caffeine consumption significantly decreased apoptosis in LEC supporting epidemiological findings that caffeine may delay the onset of cataract.

Financial Disclosure:

... research is funded, fully or partially, by a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented