[The experimental research of free calcium of the lens epithelial cells in galactose cataract].
OBJECTIVE
To study the changes of free calcium in the lens epithelial cells (LECs) of galactose cataract.


METHODS
Wistar rats, 28 days old, were fed with 50% galactose forage to form cataract models. Then the concentration of free calcium of LECs was measured at the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th, 14th, 19th days after the galactose diet was given.


RESULTS
The concentrations of free calcium in LECs of galactose cataract increased apparently and reached the maximum at the 10th day after galactose diet. The maximum was 4 - 5 times higher than that of the normal group.


CONCLUSIONS
The calcium concentration of LECs in galactose cataract increases but the degrees at different phases are not the same. The maximal concentration is at the phase when the cortex is opacified.
Wang
F
F
Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of The PLA, Beijing 100853.
He
S
S
Li
N
N
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005690:Galactose / Q000633:toxicity*; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D002118:Calcium; D005690:Galactose