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.
Howe Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston 02114.
H M
HM
Cheng
H
H
Xiong
J
J
Xiong
K
K
Tsubota
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