[Measurement of the erythrocyte galactokinase activity in patients with presenile and senile idiopathic cataract. Preliminary study]

Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper. 1990 Sep;66(9):887-92.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

The activity of galactokinase in red blood cells, has been assayed in 17 patients with idiopathic senile and presenile cataract and in 12 age-matched subjects with perfectly transparent lenses. 3 of the idiopathic cataract patients (17.6%) showed low erythrocytes GK activity, while nobody in the control group showed reduced GK activity. Although preliminary, our results seem to support the possibility that a chronic disorder of galactose metabolism may be involved in the pathogenesis of the idiopathic senile and presenile cataract.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Cataract / classification
  • Cataract / enzymology*
  • Erythrocytes / enzymology*
  • Galactokinase / blood*
  • Galactokinase / deficiency
  • Galactose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Galactokinase
  • Galactose