Original Research Article Effect of Endogenous Antioxidants on Hydrogen Peroxide Induced Experimental Cataract

Cataract is an opacification of the lens of eye. Causes of cataract formation are ageing, generation of free radicals, diabetes etc. Antioxidants & antioxidant enzymes protect the eyes by reducing free radical damage. Scope: Addition of endogenous antioxidants may delay the progression of cataract in hydrogen peroxide induced experimental cataract. Material and Methods: Total 120 fresh goat lenses were used for the study. Lenses were incubated by “Lens organ culture technique ” in TC-199 culture media with the addition of antibiotics and antifungal agents and they were divided into following groups… Group 1(control, 30) = TC-199+ lens Group 2 (Exptl- H2O2,) = TC-199+ lens +H2O2(30) Exptl- Endogenous antioxidant = TC-199+ lens+ H2O2+Glutathione (30) = TC-199+ lens+ H2O2+Pyruvate (30) Lens homogenate was subjected to spectrophotometric measurement of total soluble Lens proteins, MDA, Superoxide dismutase, Catalase & Glutathione peroxidase. Findings: Addition of endogenous antioxidants (Glutathione & Pyruvate) in culture media Showed decreased MDA levels(nmol/gmwt) 9.77+2.78,10.18+3.46(P<0.0001) And increased activity of antioxidant enzymes (Units/mg protein) 0.75+ 0.33, 0.86+ 0.29, 0.92+0.49,1.2+1.0, 33.6+9.7,39.5+14.3(P<0.0001, P<0.01).This change is found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Study shows that addition of Glutathione & Pyruvate delays the progression of cataract by reducing free radical formation