Small RNA tRF-31 Changes in Patients With Age-Related Cataract
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Biospecimen collection (Anterior lens capsule).
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Cataract. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- China
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Biphasic Dynamics of the tRNA-derived Small RNA tRF-31 Set the Lens Oxidative Survival Threshold by Restraining HIPK2-mediated Dual-track Lethality in Age-related Cataract
Overview
The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the expression characteristics and clinical relevance of the tRF-31/HIPK2 signaling axis in adults over 18 years old with age-related cataract (ARC). The main questions it aims to answer are: Is there a correlation between the relative expression levels of tRF-31 and its target gene HIPK2 in the anterior lens capsule and the clinical severity (Emery-Little grading system) of age-related cataracts? Does oxidative stress in the anterior segment microenvironment have a potential bystander effect on the state of the corneal endothelium? Participants will:Undergo routine preoperative ophthalmologic examinations, including visual acuity tests, slit-lamp photography, and corneal endothelial cell counting. Undergo standard cataract surgery (phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation) as part of their regular medical care. Allow researchers to collect and analyze their anterior lens capsule tissue, which is routinely removed and typically discarded as medical waste during the standard continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) step of the surgery.
Interventions
- Procedure Biospecimen collection (Anterior lens capsule)
This is an observational study without investigational interventions. Participants will undergo standard-of-care phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation for age-related cataract. During the routine continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) step of the surgery, the central anterior lens capsule, which is typically discarded as medical waste, will be collected for subsequent molecular analysis. This tissue collection relies entirely on the standard surgical procedure and d
Primary outcome measures
- Correlation between relative expression of tRF-31 and cataract nuclear hardness (Emery-Little grading system) [Time frame: Baseline (Preoperative, up to 1 month prior to surgery)]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
Patients older than 18 years. Clinically diagnosed with age-related cataract (ARC) and have clear surgical indications for routine phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Scheduled to undergo cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation. Completed routine preoperative corneal endothelial specular microscopy, providing objective data including cell density, coefficient of variation of cell area, and the proportion of hexagonal cells. Provided signed written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
History of ocular trauma, glaucoma, episodes of active uveitis, or previous intraocular surgery. Presence of severe systemic diseases rendering the patient unsuitable for surgery. Poor patient compliance or coexisting psychiatric disorders. Severe systemic metabolic syndromes (e.g., diabetes). Diagnosis of high myopia. Current participation in other clinical trials or likelihood of being lost to follow-up.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-only
Study locations
China · 1 center
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine — Hangzhou
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07672899 · 2026-0696