Alpha-lipoic acid prevents buthionine sulfoximine-induced cataract formation in newborn rats.
Free Radic Biol Med
; 18(4): 823-9, 1995 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-7750805
ABSTRACT
We investigated the effect of alpha-lipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant, on cataract formation in L-buthionine(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO)-treated newborn rats and found that a dose of 25 mg/kg b.w. protected 60% of animals from cataract formation. L-buthionine(S,R)-sulfoximine is an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, whose administration to newborn animals leads to the development of cataracts; this is a potential model for studying the role of therapeutic antioxidants in protecting animals from cataract formation. Major biochemical changes in the lens associated with the protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid were increases in glutathione, ascorbate, and vitamin E levels, loss of which are effects of BSO administration. Treatment with alpha-lipoic acid also restored the activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate free radical reductase in lenses of L-buthionine(S,R)-sulfoximine-treated animals but did not affect glutathione reductase or superoxide dismutase activity. We conclude that alpha-lipoic acid may take over some of the functions of glutathione (e.g., maintaining the higher level of ascorbate, indirect participation in vitamin E recycling); the increase of glutathione level in lens tissue mediated by lipoate could be also due to a direct protection of protein thiols. Thus, alpha-lipoic acid could be of potential therapeutic use in preventing cataracts and their complications.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Catarata
/
Ácido Tióctico
/
Metionina Sulfoximina
Limite:
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Newborn
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Free Radic Biol Med
Ano de publicação:
1995
Tipo de documento:
Article