title: Selenite nuclear cataractogenesis: a scanning electron microscope study.
abstract: The sequential changes during selenite nuclear cataractogenesis were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and correlated with slit lamp observations. A posterior opacity, visible with the slit lamp 1-2 days after injection of sodium selenite, was found to consist of masses of vacuoles in the superficial posterior cortex by SEM. 2-3 days post injection, a biomicroscopic refractile ring around the nucleus was represented by SEM abnormalities suggesting membrane damage and possible loss of cytosol in the perinuclear region. All normal structure in this region was lost by 5 days after injection when the central nucleus had become opaque. SEM also showed evidence for damage in areas which were still clear by slit lamp examination. Changes, characteristic of aging, were found near selenite induced damage in peripheral (younger) fibers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Shearer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*; D003459:Crystallins / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007904:Lens Cortex, Crystalline / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007907:Lens Nucleus, Crystalline / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012643:Selenium; D018038:Sodium Selenite; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D003459:Crystallins; D012643:Selenium; D018038:Sodium Selenite