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

ABSTRACT

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.