In vitro effect of alpha-tocopherol on lysophosphatidylcholine-induced lens damage.
Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) has been shown to be toxic to the lens in organ culture. An investigation into whether vitamin E counteracts the in vitro damaging effect of LPC on rat lenses was undertaken. A concentration higher than 10 micrograms ml-1 LPC in the culture medium is necessary to damage rat lenses, as assessed by protein content of the medium and Na+ and K+ content of the lens. Vitamin E affords its protection when present at a concentration of 10(-3) M: both the protein efflux from the lens and the lenticular cation imbalance are prevented, also if LPC concentration is 100 micrograms ml-1. This effect may be due more to the physicochemical properties of vitamin E in the stabilization of biological membranes, than to its chemical behaviour as an antioxidant.
D000818:Animals; D003459:Crystallins / Q000378:metabolism; D046508:Culture Techniques; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects*; D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines / Q000633:toxicity*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D024505:Tocopherols; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D003459:Crystallins; D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines; D014810:Vitamin E; D012964:Sodium; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D024505:Tocopherols; D011188:Potassium