Abstract
Purpose :
Effects of lutein (LT) and water chestnut (Trapa bispinosa Roxb.) (WC) on cataracts and the expression of antioxidant-related genes in Shumiya cataract rats (SCR) were assessed.
Methods :
All animal procedures conformed to the guidelines of the Committee of the Ethics of Animal Experiments at Kanazawa Medical University and the Association for Research and Vision in Ophthalmology (ARVO) statement. Cataractous and non-cataractous SCR were distinguished by PCR detection of lanosterol-synthetase mutations. Six- or nine-week-old cataractous SCR and non-cataractous SCR were administered LT (2 mg/kg body weight) + WC (20 mg/kg body weight) or castor oil (CO) as a control by feeding needle for 4 or 3 weeks (n=6 in each group). At the end of feeding, lenses in each group were extracted and photographed. The right eyes from 3 rats were processed for histological observation and the left lenses were used for total RNA extraction. Expressions of anti-oxidant protein, peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) and catalase mRNAs were examined using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).
Results :
Lens opacity appeared in all cataractous SCR administered LT+WC or CO for 3 weeks from 9 weeks of age. However, lens opacity was decreased in cataractous SCR administered LT+WC for 4 weeks from 6 weeks of age compared to the CO group. Expressions of Prdx6 and catalase mRNAs were increased after administration of LT+W in lenses from cataractous SCR.
Conclusions :
Our results highlight the anti-cataract and anti-oxidative effects of LT+WC in SCR. LT+WC supplementation may be useful to delay cataract progression.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.