Abstract
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the potential antioxidative effect and mechanism for the protective effects of hydrogen saline on selenite-induced cataract.
Methods:
Rat pups of Sprague-Dawley were divided into control (Group A), selenite induced (Group B) and selenite plus hydrogen saline treated (Group C). Group B and C rat pups received a single subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite (25μmol/kg body weight) on postnatal day 12. Group C also received an intraperitoneal injection of H2 saline (5ml/kg body weight) daily from postnatal day 8 to postnatal day 17. The development of cataract was assessed weekly by slit-lamp examination for 2 weeks. After sacrifice, extricated lenses were analyzed for activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and total sulfhydryl contents.
Results:
The magnitude of lens opacification in Group B was significantly higher than Group A (p<0.05), while Group C had less opacification than Group B (p<0.05). Compared with Group B, the mean activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, Gpx, GR and GST, levels of GSH and total sulfhydryl contents were higher whereas the level of MDA was lower following treatment with hydrogen saline(p<0.05).
Conclusions:
This is an initiative report that hydrogen saline can prevent selenite-induced cataract in rats. It acts via maintaining antioxidant enzymes and GSH, protecting the sulfhydryl group, and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.
Keywords: 445 cataract •
424 antioxidants •
634 oxidation/oxidative or free radical damage