Hesperetin prevents selenite-induced cataract in rats.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the ability of hesperetin, a natural flavonoid, to prevent selenite-induced cataracts in a rat model.


METHODS
Animals were divided into four treatment groups: G1 (control group), G2 (hesperetin-treated group), G3 (selenite-induced cataract group), and G4 (hesperetin-treated selenite cataract group). Animals in the G1 and G3 groups were injected with vehicle alone, while those in the G2 and G4 groups received a subcutaneous injection of hesperetin (0.4 μg/g bodyweight on days 0, 1, and 2, corresponding to P13, P14, and P15). Sodium selenite (20 μmol/g bodyweight given 4 h after the hesperetin injection on day 0) was administered to rats in the G3 and G4 groups to induce cataract formation. Lenses were observed with slit-lamp microscopy, and filensin degradation and the decreased glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid levels in the lens were measured on day 6.


RESULTS
Lenses in the G3 group showed mature central opacity, while some lenses in the G4 group lacked central opacity and had lower-grade cataracts. All lenses in the G1 and G2 groups were transparent. Expression of the 94 kDa and 50 kDa forms of filensin was significantly decreased in the lenses in the G3 group compared with those in the G1 and G2 groups. Interestingly, these forms of filensin rescued the rat lenses in the G4 group. In the G3 group lenses, the GSH and ascorbic acid levels were lower than in the control group but were normalized in the G4 group lenses.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that hesperetin can prevent selenite-induced cataract formation.
Department of Molecular Function and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University ; Division of Hygienic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University.
Yosuke
Y
Nakazawa
Department of Molecular Function and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University ; Center for Pharmaceutical Education, Yokohama University of Pharmacy.
Mikako
M
Oka
Department of Molecular Function and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University.
Masayasu
M
Bando
Department of Molecular Function and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University.
Makoto
M
Takehana
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006569:Hesperidin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D059748:Proteolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018038:Sodium Selenite / Q000633:toxicity
D000975:Antioxidants; D005136:Eye Proteins; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; C079098:filensin; D006569:Hesperidin; D005978:Glutathione; D018038:Sodium Selenite; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; C013015:hesperetin