Q192R paraoxonase1 polymorphism is a risk factor for cataract in Pakistani population

Cataract, the lens opacity, is among major causes of blindness in Pakistani population. In recent past, oxidative stress is suggested to play crucial role in loss of transparency. Along with other antioxidants, Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) has also shown decreased activity in patients suffering from cataract. The aim of current study was to examine the possible association of PON polymorphism with predisposition of cataract formation in local population. The study was conducted on 51 cataract patients and 50 control subjects considering all ethical issues. DNA was extracted from whole blood and PON1 polymorphism was identified using tetra primer ARMS-PCR method for both positions L55M and Q192R. Tetra primer ARMS-PCR results revealed that association between L55M polymorphism and cataract was insignificant while 192R genotype PON1 frequency was higher among the people suffering from cataract (78.4%) as compared to control subjects (56%), (odds ratio=2.857, confidence interval=1.197-6.820). Hence, R allele is likely to be a risk factor for cataract with allele frequency (82.3%) and (odds ratio=4.552, confidence interval=1.716-12.073, p-value=0.002). PON1 Q192R polymorphism is likely to be a risk factor for cataract development in Pakistani population while PON1 L55M was not found to be associated with cataract.