Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Antioxidant levels in English Cocker Spaniels with cataracts
By Barros et al.·Published in Veterinary Ophthalmology·1999·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Antioxidant profile of cataractous English Cocker Spaniels
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of English Cocker Spaniels with cataracts had lower levels of vitamin C in their blood compared to healthy dogs. This suggests that the dogs with cataracts might not be producing enough vitamin C, which is important for protecting the lens of the eye from damage. Since cataracts can be linked to oxidative stress, the findings indicate that a decrease in vitamin C could contribute to the development of cataracts in these dogs. Pet owners should discuss vitamin C supplementation or dietary changes with their veterinarian if their dog is diagnosed with cataracts.
People also search for: dog cataracts treatment · vitamin C for dogs with cataracts · English Cocker Spaniel eye problems
Abstract
Cataracts have been attributed to oxidative injury in proteins and lipids. Primary defenses that directly protect the lens against oxidative damage include small molecule antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione and carotenoids) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and the glutathione enzyme systems – glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase). In humans, low plasmatic levels of vitamin C, vitamin E and carotenoids have been associated with a high risk of senile cataracts. Dogs are more prone to develop cataracts. A decrease in antioxidant defenses could be responsible for increased lens oxidation and cataract development. In this study we report the levels of erythrocytic enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase) and plasma vitamin C as well as malondialdehyde, in normal and cataractous English Cocker Spaniel dogs. Plasma vitamin C levels were consistently lower in cataractous dogs (20.17 μm ± 8.2 μm) when compared with normal dogs (24.1 μm ± 9.4 μm). These results indicate a possibly decreased synthesis in vitamin C, leading to lower aqueous humor levels of this vitamin. Considering that vitamin C levels in the aqueous humor may be responsible for lens antioxidant maintenance, and that these levels are obtained from plasma secretion through the ciliary epithelium, decreased plasma levels may indicate a decrease in the antioxidant capacity of the aqueous humor.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1463-5224.1999.00056.x