The Electrolyte Changes of Pig`s Lens in Experimentally Induced Cataract

ABSTRACT

Protein accounts for over one third of the human lens, the remaining two thirds being water. The other constotuents of the lens including lipids, amino acids, electrolytes and a variety of peptides and carbohydrates, account for about 1% of the lens wet weight. Since transparency of the lens is so highly dependent on protein order and structural integrity, it is not surprising that relatively small changes in any of these parameters might lead to the development of opacification resulting in a cataract.We have analyzed electrolytic differences between normal lens and lens of experimentally induced cataract to find the important factor in including cataract after we had extracted one hundred eight pig lenses. We divided these experimentally induced cataract into a group of normal lens capsule and another group of lenses which we performed with a 26 gauge needle. The sodium level was decreased in 15% mannitol solution and increased in normal saline. In every solution the potassium level was decreased. The chloride level was decreased in the 15% mannitol solution and increased in the normal saline solution. The calcium level also was decreased in mannitol and distilled water.Our results indicate that the potassium level of the experimentally induced cataracts decreased in any conditions and may be an important factor in inducing cataract.