NAT2 slow acetylator function as a risk indicator for age-related cataract formation.

Objectives: To show that the slow arylamine N-acetyltransferase type 2 (NAT2) catalysed acetylator function is associated with the development of age-related cataracts.

Methods: Both the acetylator phenotype and genotype of 139 patients with age-related cataracts were determined, and the distribution of the acetylator subtypes in the case population was compared with the distribution in the general (control) population. The genotype was determined by restriction-enzyme analysis of DNA, and the phenotype was determined using the elimination characteristics of isoniazid as discriminant.

Results: The frequency of alleles coding for slow acetylator characteristics was higher in the patients than in the controls, and the difference was significant (P = 0.013).

Conclusions: Slow acetylators are at higher risk of developing age-related cataracts than fast acetylators and we suggest that exogenous factors, which can be detoxified by acetylation, are aetiological agents for cataract formation. Identification of and avoidance of such (environmental) agents should reduce the incidence of age-related cataracts.