Consumption of antioxidants, retinal peroxidation, and increasing production of free radicals have been proposed as pathogenic mechanisms in human cataractogenesis. These pathogenic factors have been more strongly related to age-related and cortical cataract formation, but some authors have proposed their role in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients with cataracts. There have been theories relating anterior subcapsular cataracts formation with increased inflammatory markers, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor, and transforming growth factor ?.
Lipid peroxidation refers to the oxidative degradation of lipids. In this process, reactive oxygen species (free radicals) damage the lipids in cell membranes resulting in cell damage. Superoxide dismutase is an enzyme that inhibits the formation of these free radicals.
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