Potential prophylactic role of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on experimentally induced cataract in rats

ABSTRACT

Nitric oxide [NO] has been related to numerous eye diseases such as cataract. In the present study, we investigated and compared the prophylactic role of selective and nonselective nitric oxide synthase [NOS] inhibitors on the development of selenite induced cataract in rats. The study comprised seven groups; of which four groups served as controls. Cataract was induced in three groups by a single subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite [4mg/kg] in 13-days old Lewis rats. One group was left untreated. The other two groups were treated with aminoguanidine or L-NAME [N G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester] in a dose of 60mg/kg/day orally for nine days and treatment started two days before selenite injection. Slit lamp examination was done daily to detect lens opacity. Biochemical analysis of lenses was done seven days after selenite injection and included concentrations of nitrite, glutathione, calcium and soluble proteins, in addition to, Cellogel electrophoresis of soluble lens proteins. Ophthalmologic and biochemical results revealed a noticeable prophylactic role of both drugs on selenite cataract development after seven days of selenite injection. In addition, it was observed that aminoguanidine had a better protective role than L-NAME. It can be concluded that NO had an important role in the development of selenite induced cataract in rats since inhibitors of NOS could prevent the development of selenite cataract