Abstract
Purpose: :
To elucidate the short-term evolution of cataract and potential associated changes in lens glutathione redox balance in the Spraque-Dawley albino rat after in vivo exposure to UVR
Methods: :
Three groups of 10 Sprague-Dawley rats were unilaterally exposed to 8 kJ/m2 UVR-300 nm for 15 minutes, and a fourth group of 10 rats was kept without UVR exposure as nonexposed control animals. The exposed animals were sacrificed at 1, 3 and 7 days after exposure. The intensity of forward light scattering of the lens was measured quantitatively. The concentration of glutathione, reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG), and the activity of glutathione reductase (GR) and peroxidase (GPx) respectively, were determined spectrophotometrically.
Results: :
All exposed lenses developed cataract. Lens light scattering increased throughout the 7 days after UVR exposure. GSH concentration and GPx rate transiently increased at 1 day after exposure and then decreased throughout follow-up, with GSH concentration having a negative balance at the end. GSSG concentration and GR activity did not change after UVR exposure.
Conclusions: :
In vivo UVR exposure induces a gradual increase in rat lens opacification/cataract development and time dependently alters the redox balance in the lens.
Keywords: cataract • oxidation/oxidative or free radical damage • radiation damage: light/UV