Effect of nigericin on distribution of sodium, potassium and calcium ion in rabbit lens.
Nigericin, a carboxylic monovalent cation ionophore, induced opacification in the rabbit lens within 2 hr of incubation at 37 degrees C at a concentration of 10(-7)M. The opacification was in the subcapsular region where a marked degree of Ca2+ accumulation and change in the monovalent cation balance occurred. Nigericin may accumulate and act locally at the surface region of the lens, presumably due to the high lipid solubility of nigericin. Nigericin induced an opacification of the lens when applied either to the anterior chamber or to the vitreous of rabbit eye.
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009550:Nigericin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012964:Sodium; D009550:Nigericin; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium