title: Phase-separation inhibitors and prevention of selenite cataract.
abstract: The variation of the phase-separation temperature (Tc) was studied in lenses during formation of cataracts induced by a subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite. In normal control animals, the Tc decreased monotonically with increasing age. Approximately 2 days after administration of the selenite the Tc decreased sharply to a minimum, and then at day 4 the Tc increased dramatically toward body temperature. Mature irreversible cataracts formed approximately 6 days after injection of the selenite. Intraperitoneal administration of WR-77913, a phase-separation inhibitor, prevented the abnormal variation of Tc in vivo. When injected into control animals without selenite, WR-77913 produced no abnormal variation in Tc. The results confirm that Tc is a sensitive measure of early changes in the lens and that opacification associated with abnormal variation in Tc can be prevented in vivo by using a phase-separation inhibitor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Structure, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Steele
mesh_terms: D004999:Amifostine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012643:Selenium; D018038:Sodium Selenite; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: C035284:WR 77913; D012643:Selenium; D018038:Sodium Selenite; D004999:Amifostine