[The inhibitory effect of gamma-glutamylcysteinylethyl ester (gamma-GCE) instillation on experimental diabetic cataract formation in rats].
The effect of the instillation of gamma-glutamylcysteinylethyl ester (gamma-GCE), which has been reported to function as a precursor of glutathione, on cataract formation was examined in rats in which diabetes had been induced by Streptozotocin (STZ). Three days after i.p. treatment with 50 mg/kg body weight of STZ, male Wistar rats aged 6 weeks received instillations of gamma-GCE in solution or liposomes prepared with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) for a period of 9 weeks. Cataract formation and development were observed by use of a cataract camera every week. After 9 weeks' observation, the lenses were enucleated and the content of the lens GSH was measured. Instillation of gamma-GCE in solution or liposomes to STZ-diabetic rats not only inhibited cataract formation but also kept lens GSH level almost at the control level. In addition, the inhibitory effect of the instillation of gamma-GCE in liposome was stronger than that of gamma-GCE in solution. The present results indicate that the administration of gamma-GCE in solution or in liposomes inhibits diabetic cataract formation, possibly by preventing lens GSH depletion.
Hattori
H
H
Department of Ophthalmology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan.
Majima
Y
Y
Fukami
H
H
Torii
H
H
Nagamura
Y
Y
Ishiguro
I
I
Ohta
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000150:complications*; D004151:Dipeptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D007322:Instillation, Drug; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013311:Streptozocin
D004151:Dipeptides; C067744:N-gamma-glutamylcysteine ethyl ester; D013311:Streptozocin; D005978:Glutathione