Quantitative metabolomic analysis of changes in the lens and aqueous humor under development of age-related nuclear cataract.

Comparison of metabolite concentrations in lens and corresponding AH reveal that the most important for the lens protection metabolites are synthesized in the lens epithelial cells. The reduced levels of antioxidants, UV filters, and osmolytes were found in the cataractous lenses what cannot be explained by post-mortem changes in normal lens; that indicates that the age-related nuclear cataract development may originate from the dysfunction of the lens epithelial cells.