Vitamin E can protect against ultraviolet radiation-induced cataract in albino rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate if vitamin E protects against ultraviolet B radiation (UVB)-induced cataract.


METHODS
Albino Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: one group was fed vitamin E, while the other group was used as a control. Both groups were exposed to UVB. The rats were sacrificed, lenses extracted, forward light scattering was measured, and vitamin E and glutathione (GSH) contents were determined.


RESULTS
Lenses in the vitamin E group developed slight opacities, while lenses in the control group developed nuclear cataracts. Forward light scattering in lenses of the control group was higher than in lenses in the vitamin-E-supplemented group. Vitamin E and GSH concentrations were higher in lenses treated with vitamin E than in the untreated group.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin E protects the lens against UVB-induced cataract. Vitamin E protects directly as an antioxidant and/or indirectly through increased levels of GSH.
Ayala
Marcelo N
MN
Orebro University Hospital, Eye Department, Sweden. marcelo.ayala@ste.ki.se
Söderberg
Per G
PG
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D005978:Glutathione