Abstract
Purpose::
To investigate the response of UV radiation or peroxide in thioltransferase knockout lens epithelial cells. Thioltransferase is a repair enzyme involved in the regeneration of oxidized proteins.
Methods::
Primary lens epithelial cells from wild type and thioltransferase knockout mice were exposed to either hydrogen peroxide or UV radiation. The GSH/GSSG ratio and activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were determined spectrophotometrically.
Results::
Both enzyme activities and the GSH/GSSG ratio immediately decreased after UVR exposure and peroxide treatment. All parameters recovered dose/concentration-dependently towards baseline within one hour, with faster recovery in the wild type cells.
Conclusions::
The glutathione system reacts similarly to both UV radiation and peroxide oxidative stress. Thioltransferase plays an important role in the repair of oxidative stress to the glutathione system.
Keywords: oxidation/oxidative or free radical damage • cataract • radiation damage: light/UV