title: Attenuation of galactose-induced cataract by pyruvate.
abstract: Data in the present paper demonstrate a significant inhibition in the progress of sugar cataract formation by systemic administration of pyruvate. The formation of the cataract was induced by feeding young rats a diet containing 30% galactose. All animals fed this diet developed nuclear lens opacity by the end of 30 days. This was delayed if the diet and water contained, in addition, 2% sodium pyruvate. The incidence of cataract in the latter group was 0% at day 30 and only 25% at day 55. Physiologically, the inhibition was associated with the prevention of lens membrane damage as reflected by its ability to maintain transport of rubidium ions against a concentration gradient; decreased tissue hydration as indexed by the lens wet weight; inhibition of protein glycation, and higher levels of ATP. Since pyruvate, being a normal tissue metabolite, is likely to be non-toxic, the findings are considered useful for further pharmacological studies with this and other similar metabolites, relevant to protection against various secondary complications of diabetes and galactosemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore 21201, USA.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Varma
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Devamanoharan
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rutzen
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Henein
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D005690:Galactose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005693:Galactosemias / Q000150:complications; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006031:Glycosylation; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D019289:Pyruvic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012414:Rubidium Radioisotopes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; D012414:Rubidium Radioisotopes; D019289:Pyruvic Acid; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D005690:Galactose