Reversal of reciprocity failure for UVR-induced cataract with vitamin E.
OBJECTIVE
The authors have previously described that the photochemical reciprocity law does not apply for ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced cataract. The aim of this study was to elucidate if failure of the reciprocity reverses with vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) administration.


METHODS
Altogether, 80 rats were divided into one group fed alpha-tocopherol and one control group. For each group, half of rats were exposed to UVR for 5 min and the remaining rats for 15 min.


RESULTS
Lenses exposed to UVR for 5 min showed no difference in light scattering between alpha-tocopherol-treated and untreated groups. Lenses exposed to UVR for 15 min showed significant difference in light scattering between alpha-tocopherol-treated and untreated groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Failure in exposure time-intensity reciprocity for UVR-induced cataract with exposures shorter than 30 min may be due to consumption of antioxidants in the lens.
Ayala
Marcelo N
MN
Eye Department, University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden. marcelo.ayala@ste.ki.se
Söderberg
Per G
PG
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008027:Light; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013997:Time Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E