Metabolic studies of galactosemic cataract.
Experimental diabetic and galactosemic animal models are widely used to study diabetes-induced complications. Galactose feeding can rapidly produce cataract, retinopathy and nephropathy; it is therefore favored over the diabetic model. Although the common feature for both models is the activation of aldose reductase, there are substantial differences between the two--not only does the rate of cataract progression differ but the metabolic patterns are far more complex than for polyol production alone. We here present the result of a comparison between diabetic and galactosemic lenses and show the differences in phosphorus and aldose metabolism, cell integrity and osmotic environment.
Cheng
H M
HM
Howe Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston 02114.
Xiong
H
H
Xiong
J
J
Tsubota
K
K
D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004376:Galactitol / Q000378:metabolism; D005690:Galactose / Q000378:metabolism; D005693:Galactosemias / Q000150:complications*; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D004376:Galactitol; D010758:Phosphorus; D005690:Galactose