ABSTRACT
Selenite and ebselen supplementation has been shown to possess anti-cataract potential in some experimental animal models of cataract, however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-cataract effects and the underlying mechanisms of selenite and ebselen supplementation on galactose induced cataract in rats, a common animal model of sugar cataract. Transmission electron microscopy images of lens fiber cells (LFC) and lens epithelial cells (LEC) were observed in D-galactose-induced experimental cataractous rats treated with or without selenite and ebselen, also redox homeostasis and expression of proteins such as selenoprotein R (SELR), 15kD selenoprotein (SEP15), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase (CAT), ß-crystallin protein, aldose reductase (AR) and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) were estimated in the lenses. The results showed that D-galactose injection injured rat lens and resulted in cataract formation; however, selenite and ebselen supplementation markedly alleviated ultrastructural injury of LFC and LEC. Moreover, selenite and ebselen supplementation could mitigate the oxidative damage in rat lens and increase the protein expressions of SELR, SEP15, SOD1, CAT and ß-crystallin, as well as decrease the protein expressions of AR and GRP78. Taken together, these findings for the first time reveal the anti-cataract potential of selenite and ebselen in galactosemic cataract, and provide important new insights into the anti-cataract mechanisms of selenite and ebselen in sugar cataract.
Subject(s)
Azoles/pharmacology , Lens, Crystalline/drug effects , Methionine Sulfoxide Reductases/metabolism , Organoselenium Compounds/pharmacology , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Selenious Acid/pharmacology , Selenoproteins/metabolism , Aldehyde Reductase/metabolism , Animals , Antioxidants/administration & dosage , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Azoles/administration & dosage , Blotting, Western , Catalase/metabolism , Cataract/chemically induced , Cataract/metabolism , Cataract/prevention & control , Dietary Supplements , Epithelial Cells/drug effects , Epithelial Cells/metabolism , Epithelial Cells/ultrastructure , Galactose , Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism , Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism , Isoindoles , Lens, Crystalline/metabolism , Lens, Crystalline/pathology , Male , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Organoselenium Compounds/administration & dosage , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Selenious Acid/administration & dosage , Superoxide Dismutase-1/metabolism , Trace Elements/administration & dosage , Trace Elements/pharmacology , beta-Crystallins/metabolismABSTRACT
AIM: To evaluate anti cataract effect of phyllanthus niruri (PN) both in vitro and in vivo galactose induced cataract.METHODS: Aqueous extract of PN was evaluated against galactose-induced cataract both in vitro and in vivo. Galactosaemic cataract was induced in rats by feeding 300g/L galactose diet. PN was administered orally at three-dose levels 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg of body weight. Rat lenses were subjected to osmotic stress in vitro by incorporating galactose (30mmol/L) in the culture medium. The effect of PN (720 and 880μg/mL) on the glutathione (GSH) and polyols levels was studied.RESULTS: PN significantly delayed the onset and progression of cataract in vivo. In addition to the delay in reaching various stages of development of cataract, stage IV did not develop with lower doses till the completion of experimental period. Lenses treated with PN 880μg/mL concentration showed higher levels of GSH and decreased levels of polyols in vitro. In vivo, 75mg/kg significantly delayed the onset and progression of cataract as compared to control.CONCLUSION: PN delayed the process of cataracto-genesis in the experimental models. However, further study is required to extrapolate the use in human beings for the prevention of cataract.
