title: Effect of gender on radiation-induced cataractogenesis.
abstract: Radiation cataractogenesis is an important consideration for radiotherapy patients and for astronauts. Data in the literature suggest that gender and/or estrogen may play a role in the incidence of age-related cataracts. However, few data exist on the effect of gender on radiation-induced cataractogenesis. We compared the incidence and rate of progression of cataracts induced by ionizing radiation in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Male rats were implanted with either an empty silastic capsule or a capsule containing 17-beta-estradiol. Ovary-intact female rats were implanted with empty capsules. All rats received a single dose of 10 Gy (60Co gamma rays) to the right eye only. Lens opacification was measured at 2-4-week intervals with a slit lamp. The incidence of radiation-induced cataracts was significantly increased in male rats compared to female rats (P=0.034). There was no difference in the rate of cataract progression between the three groups. Our data suggest there is a gender-related difference in radiation-induced cataractogenesis, but the increased incidence of radiation cataractogenesis in male rats compared to female rats cannot be attributed to estrogen levels, since there was no difference in cataract incidence between male rats implanted with empty capsules and those implanted with capsules containing 17-beta-estradiol.
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA.
authors: Mark A
authors: MA
authors: Henderson
authors: Shailaja
authors: S
authors: Valluri
authors: Colleen
authors: C
authors: DesRosiers
authors: Jennifer T
authors: JT
authors: Lopez
authors: Christopher N
authors: CN
authors: Batuello
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Caperell-Grant
authors: Marc S
authors: MS
authors: Mendonca
authors: Eva-Marie
authors: EM
authors: Powers
authors: Robert M
authors: RM
authors: Bigsby
authors: Joseph R
authors: JR
authors: Dynlacht
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol