Dulcitol and Water Concentrations in Galactose Cataracts of the Hamster

Abstract

The rat has been the only laboratory animal in which galactose cataracts have been produced invivo. Syrian golden hamsters, when fed a diet of 45 to 85 per cent galactose, also develop cataracts. With increasing concentrations of galactose, weight loss and death frequently occurred. The biomicroscopic lens changes were similar to those reported in the rat, and the cataracts were partially reversible. The data showed a quadratic relationship between dulcitol accumulation and (1) days on the galactose diet with a 98 per cent degree of fit and (2) stage of cataract formation with a 79 per cent degree of fit. A linear relationship was demonstrated when the water content was compared with (1) days on the galactose diet with a 77 per cent degree of fit and (2) stage of cataract formation with a 71 per cent degree of fit. Therefore, in the hamster's galactose cataract, the increase in dulcitol and increase in water were closely related but not exactly parallel.