title: Protection against UVB inactivation (in vitro) of rat lens enzymes by natural antioxidants.
abstract: Oxidative damage, through increased production of free radicals, is believed to be involved in UV-induced cataractogenesis (eye lens opacification). The possibility of UVB radiation causing damage to important lenticular enzymes was assessed by irradiating 3 months old rat lenses (in RPMI-1640 medium) at 300 nm (100 microWcm(-2)) for 24 h, in the absence and presence of ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol acetate and beta-carotene. UVB irradiation resulted in decreased activities of hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, aldose reductase, and Na, K- ATPase by 42, 40, 44 and 57% respectively. While endopeptidase activity (229%) and lipid peroxidation (156%) were increased, isocitrate dehydrogenase activity was not altered on irradiation. In the presence of externally added ascorbic acid, tocopherol and beta-carotene (separately) to the medium, the changes in enzyme activities (except endopeptidase) and increased lipid peroxidation, due to UVB exposure, were prevented. These results suggest that UVB radiation exerts oxidative damage on lens enzymes and antioxidants were protective against this damage.
authors.affiliation: Ocular Biochemistry Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Bhat
mesh_terms: D000449:Aldehyde Reductase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006593:Hexokinase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000201:enzymology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E; D000449:Aldehyde Reductase; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; D006593:Hexokinase; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D001205:Ascorbic Acid