Effect of infrared radiation on the lens.

Background: Infrared (IR) radiation is becoming more popular in industrial manufacturing processes and in many instruments used for diagnostic and therapeutic application to the human eye. Aim: The present study was designed to investigate the effect of IR radiation on rabbit’s crystalline lens and lens membrane. Materials and Methods: Fifteen New Zealand rabbits were used in the present work. The rabbits were classified into three groups; one of them served as control. The other two groups were exposed to IR radiation for 5 or 10 minutes. Animals from these two irradiated groups were subdivided into two subgroups; one of them was decapitated directly after IR exposure, while the other subgroup was decapitated 1 hour post exposure. IR was delivered from a General Electric Lamp model 250R 50/10, placed 20 cm from the rabbit and aimed at each eye. The activity of Na+-K+ ATPase was measured in the lens membrane. Soluble lens proteins were extracted and the following measurements were carried out: estimation of total soluble protein, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. For comparison between multiple groups, analysis of variance was used with significance level set at P < 0.001. Results: The results indicated a change in the molecular weight of different lens crystalline accompanied with changes in protein backbone structure. These changes increased for the groups exposed to IR for 10 minutes. Moreover, the activity of Na+-K+ ATPase significantly decreased for all groups. Conclusions: The protein of eye lens is very sensitive to IR radiation which is hazardous and may lead to cataract.

Changes in erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities in the development of senile and diabetic cataracts.

Oxidative and osmotic stress have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cataracts. Reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) mediate peroxidation of membrane lipids and cause irreversible damage to lens proteins. The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in erythrocyte glucose- 6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme (G6PD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in the development of senile and diabetic cataracts. The activity of erythrocyte G6PD and the concentration of GSH were measured to assess changes in oxidation-reduction status. The oxidation-reduction status of 26 non-diabetic non-cataract (control) subjects were compared with 24 diabetic non-cataract, 30 diabetic cataract and 28 non-diabetic cataract subjects. The results revealed that the GSH and G6PD levels of the subjects with senile cataracts were significantly lower than the subjects without cataracts. The present study reveals the risk of developing senile cataracts is associated with decreased levels of erythrocyte G6PD and GSH. In the formation of diabetic cataracts an adequate supply of NADPH (G6PD activity) is essential to produce osmotically active sorbitol in the lens.

Glutathione and associated enzymes in toxic cataractogenesis-selenite model.

Glutathione, gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase (gamma -GCS) and glutathione reductase (GSH-R) activity were determined biochemically in the lens during various stages after subcutaneous administration of sodium selenite in multiple low dosages and single high dosages. The GSH concentration and gamma-GCS and GSH-R activity declined progressively after the selenite administration. The changes observed were discussed in relation to the possible role of selenite interaction with GSH and the enzymes.

Changes in glutathione, glutathione-linked enzymes and hexose monophosphate shunt enzymes in senile cataract.

Changes in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), glutathione reductase (GSH-R), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PO), transketolase (TK) and transaldolase (TA) were studied in lens and red blood cells (RBCs) to understand the possible biochemical mechanisms responsible for the development of senile cataract. The activity of G-6-PD was increased in lens, though not so in erythrocytes during cataractogenesis. A marked decrease was observed in GSH level and GSH-R activity in the lens and RBCs of the cataractous group. The activity of GSH-PO was remarkably high in lens but not in the erythrocytes during the maturity of cataract. The activity of TK decreased gradually in both the lens and erythrocytes. The activity of TA decreased in erythrocytes but increased in the lens with maturation of cataract.

Influence of UV-irradiation on enzymes in mouse ocular lens: in vitro studies.

PURPOSE: In vitro study of the enzymes involved in aerobic, anaerobic and hexose monophosphate shunt in ultraviolet radiation exposed mice lenses. METHOD: Of the selected enzymes, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was representative of anaerobic glucose oxidation, succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) of the aerobic oxidation, and Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) of the Hexose Monophosphate (HMP) shunt. Other enzymes studied were ATPase and glutathione reductase (GR). RESULTS: Experiments with mice lenses in vitro showed that transparent lens became opaque following UV-irradiation at 360 nm. Opacification of the lens was accompanied by a change in enzyme activities for energy metabolism. CONCLUSION: These changes were progressive in a manner analogous to sequential morphological changes, which would be crucial in maintaining lens transparency.

Synergetic effects of U-V radiations and malnutrition of lens (experimental study).

The synergistic effects of protein deficiency and U-V radiation is cataractogenic as seen in our experimental model though individually these had no damaging effect on enzymatic profile and clinical appearance.

Actividad de diversas enzimas relacionadas con el metabolismo glúcido en cataratas seniles / The activity of various enzymes related with the metabolism carbohydrates in senile cataracts

En la presente investigación se desarrolló un estudio clínico, del tipo "caso-control", sin hipótesis previa, observándose la distribución de las alteraciones de ciertas enzimas vinculadas al metabolismo intermediario de los glúcidos, como son: la glucógeno fosforilasa, la glucosa-6-fosfatasa, la amilasa, la deshidrogenasa láctica y la fosfohexosaisomerasa en cristalinos con cataratas seniles en comparación con lo que se detecta en cristalinos humanos normales, no opacificados. Las actividades enzimáticas de los cristalinos normales fueron muy parecidas a las detectadas en diferentes especies animales, con excepción de la actividad amilolítica. En las cataratas seniles, los resultados obtenidos muestran una marcada disminución en todas las actividades enzimáticas valoradas. Se establecieron las correlaciones correspondientes y se concluye que los hallazgos obtenidos pudieran deberse a una disminución en la estabilidad y/o en la actividad de estas enzimas, por diversos factores, lo cual produce un grave deterioro del metabolismo glucídico en las cataratas seniles, con interferencia en los mecanismos de producción de energía. Los resultados confirman lo establecido previamente en diversas especies, con respecto a la edad y al cristalino