Lead toxicity induced cataract - an experimental study

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to evaluate the lenticular changes after administration of different concentrations of lead acetate through stomach tube in albino rats. 60 male albino rats were involved in this study and equally divided into 4 groups [15 rats each]. Group I was used as a control group and the other three groups received lead acetate solution with doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/Kg daily for 4 weeks respectively. The results showed that the administration of lead acetate led to decrease in the concentration of the soluble lens protein and increase in lenticular deposition of lead element in lens homogenates. In addition, there was a migration towards higher molecular weight of lens protein, which demonstrated from column chromatography and Sodium dodecyl sulfate- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE]. It is concluded that the intrusion of lead into the lens may alter soluble lens protein composition and causes protein conformational changes that decreases lens transparency, therefore enhancing the development of cataract