effects of ultraviolet B [UV-B] radiation on the lens in albino rats in different ages and times of exposure

ABSTRACT

To investigate the effects of UVB radiation on the crystalline lens of the rat lens. 100 Sprague-Dawely rats were divided in 4 groups with different ages [3, 6, 10 and 18 weeks] and control one [20 rats in each group]. Exposed 4 groups were irradiated to UVB with wave length 300nm and intensity of 8kj/m2. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups [A and B] according to the time of exposure [15 and 30 minutes]. The control group [C] was divided into 5 rats for each group. One week after exposure, both lenses were removed for morphological changes and for histopathology. Groups were compared by evaluating the difference between exposed and non-exposed lenses. Early cortical cataract [vacuoles] was not detected in all [B] groups, and appeared in all [A] groups As except E4 group. Cortical cataract appeared in both exposed groups and the increased with age. Equatorial cataract was detected in all ages and the incidence increased in rats of [A] groups. Sutural cataract was more in young groups and the incidence increased with time of exposure to UV-B it was not detected in E4 group. Early nuclear and nuclear cataract was more in young ages and increased time of exposure. UV-B has powerful effects on the rat lens and development of different types of cataract, which differs according to the age and time of exposure. The more exposure to UV-B the more the cataract develops