NAC‐Loaded AuNPs Nanocarrier Penetrates Human Lens and Retain Transparency: Potential for Cataract Treatment

ABSTRACT

Cataract is a cause of visual impairment worldwide and is frequently associated with systemic metabolic disorders, including chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes mellitus. This study quantitatively evaluated the penetration potential of green‐synthesized NAC loaded AuNPs of human cataract lens. Cataracteouse human lens was incubated with 7% NAC‐loaded AuNPs for 15 days. Fluorescence imaging was followed after 3, 5, 9, 12, and 15 days. The fluorescence quantitative results indicated successful AuNPs penetration, distribution, NAC release, crystalline proteins existence. By Day 15, the level of conjugated NAC with lens crystalline was at maximum. On the other hand, biochemical analyses investigated the association between cataract occurrence and some metabolites in cataract patients compared with non‐cataract patients. Blood urea was significantly higher in cataract CKD than those non‐cataract patients ( p  < 0.05). Blood glucose was significantly higher in cataract diabetic than non‐cataract patients ( p  < 0.03). ROC analysis indicated that cholesterol is the modest predictor of age related cataract in both groups. To sum up, the present approach confirms successful lens penetration by NAC‐loaded AuNPs, localization of AuNPs, conjugation of NAC with lens crystalline and lens transparency retention. This study argues that cholesterol could be associated with cataract formation in CKD and diabetic patients.