Superoxide and lens of the eye: A new theory of cataractogenesis

✍ Scribed by Shambhu D. Varma

• Book ID: 104580366
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1981
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 363 KB
• Volume: 20
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0020-7608
• DOI: 10.1002/qua.560200219

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Based on in vitro culture studies, it has been proposed that the photochemical generation of superoxide in the intraocular chambers provides a significant cataractous insult. Rat lens when maintained in medium generating excessive O is damaged as indexed by deterioration of the cation pump. If O levels are low (ambient levels), peroxidative degradation of lipids has been observed. These reactions are intuitively deleterious to tissue physiology and may contribute to the manner through which light may be toxic to lens in the long run, giving rise to senile cataracts. It was interesting to note that these deleterious reactions could be attenuated greatly by physiological levels of ascorbic acid. The significance of these in vitro studies to the in vitro situatiion as offered by the diurnal habitat of mankind remains yet to be known, but studies simulating such situation in experimental animal models are in progress.