In vivo inhibition of l-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine-induced cataracts by a novel antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine amide.

The effects of N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA), a free radical scavenger, on cataract development were evaluated in Wistar rat pups. Cataract formation was induced in these animals with an intraperitoneal injection of a glutathione (GSH) synthesis inhibitor, l-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO). To assess whether NACA has a significant impact on BSO-induced cataracts, the rats were divided into four groups: (1) control, (2) BSO only, (3) NACA only, and (4) NACA+BSO. The control group received only saline ip injections on postpartum day 3, the BSO-only group was given ip injections of BSO (4mmol/kg body wt), the NACA-only group received ip injections of only NACA (250mg/kg body wt), and the NACA+BSO group was given a dose of NACA 30min before administration of the BSO injection. The pups were sacrificed on postpartum day 15, after examination under a slit-lamp microscope. Their lenses were analyzed for selective oxidative stress parameters, including glutathione (reduced and oxidized), protein carbonyls, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and malondialdehyde. The lenses of pups in both the control and the NACA-only groups were clear, whereas all pups within the BSO-only group developed well-defined cataracts. It was found that supplemental NACA injections during BSO treatment prevented cataract formation in most of the rat pups in the NACA+BSO group. Only 20% of these pups developed cataracts, and the rest retained clear lenses. Further, GSH levels were significantly decreased in the BSO-only treated group, but rats that received NACA injections during BSO treatment had these levels of GSH replenished. Our findings indicate that NACA inhibits cataract formation by limiting protein carbonylation, lipid peroxidation, and redox system components, as well as replenishing antioxidant enzymes.

Car-surfing in southwest Ohio: incidence and injuries.

BACKGROUND: A local increasing prevalence of injuries due to the unusual mechanism of "car-surfing," during which youths ride on the hood or roof of a vehicle, led us to review our experience with these injuries with the goal of designing an effective prevention program. METHODS: Patient information from the trauma registry at our Level I trauma center was abstracted and analyzed to determine the characteristics of injuries due to this unusual mechanism. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were identified over a 15-year period. The average age was 19.5 +/- 5.2 years (mean +/- S.D.); 69% were young men. The number of injuries is increasing, with nine injuries identified during the first 5 years, 10 during the next 5 years, and 16 patients during the most recent 5-year period. Fifty-seven percent of the injuries occurred in a rural area and 43% in an urban area. Blood alcohol levels were tested in 29 patients--18 were negative and 11 were positive. Alcohol was more likely to be a factor in older patients with 77.8% (7/9) of those > or = 21 years old having a positive blood alcohol but only 20% (4/20) < or = 20 years old. The most severe injuries were due to head trauma (82.9%), and five patients died. CONCLUSION: This high risk behavior is becoming more prevalent in our region. The information gained from this study will be valuable to our Injury Prevention Center in designing an effective program to reduce such injuries.