Abstract

Objective: Keratoconus (KTC) is a progressive, asymmetric, and bilateral ocular disease. The complex interaction of genetic, cellular, biomechanical, and environmental factors contributes to the onset and progression of KTC. Oxidative stress (OxSt) also has a role in KTC pathogenesis. It is characterized by an imbalance of antioxidants and OxSt markers in the aqueous humor, cornea, tears, and blood. Iodine exhibits significant antioxidant activity by acting as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It has also been stated to improve cell-cell adhesion. Our aim is to evaluate and compare the urinary iodine concentrations of healthy subjects and patients diagnosed with KTC.
Materials and methods: Morning spot urine samples were collected from healthy subjects (control group) and patients diagnosed with KTC. Urinary iodine concentrations were determined using the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction.
Results: The mean iodine concentrations of the healthy subjects and KTC patients were 16.27 ± 3.92 μg/dL and 5.55 ± 3.97 μg/dL, respectively. The mean iodine level was significantly lower in patients diagnosed with KTC compared to the control group (p = 0.000).
Conclusion: According to our results, we believe that iodine deficiency may be a risk factor for KTC.

Author Details

Authors

• Emine Cinici¹
• Enes C. Tercanli²
• Meltem Cetin³
• Mine Gulaboglu²
• Afife B. Ugur Kaplan³
• Aysenur Sonmez¹

Departments

• ¹ Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine,
• ² Department of Biochemistry, and
• ³ Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey

Address

Mine Gulaboglu, PhD
Department of Biochemistry
Faculty of Pharmacy
Atatürk University
25240 Erzurum, Turkey
Email: [email protected]

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