Lens protein glycation and the subsequent degree of opacity in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Abstract

We measured how much glycated protein there was in rat eye lenses with different degrees of cataract, using an antibody against glucitol-lysine. Streptozotocin-diabetic (STZ) rats were in some cases treated with insulin (STZ + INS); control rats were normal. We graded the cataracts from 0 (transparent) to 3 (entirely opaque). STZ rats had significantly more grade 3 cataracts, and STZ + INS rats more grade 1 cataracts, than other groups. Grade 3 lenses had significantly more glycated protein than those of grade 0 (10.8 +/- 2.7 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.4 nmol/mg protein), grades 1 and 2 being intermediate. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels correlated similarly with severity of cataract. These data are consistent with the greater incidence of cataract among diabetics than among non-diabetics, and suggest that lens protein glycation contributes to the development of cataract.

• Authors: M Yano, S Matsuda, Y Bando, K Shima
• Journal: Diabetes research and clinical practice (Diabetes Res Clin Pract) Vol. 7 Issue 4 Pg. 259-62 (Nov 06 1989) ISSN: 0168-8227 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 2693028 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Eye Proteins
• Glycated Hemoglobin A
• Insulin

Topics

• Animals
• Cataract (metabolism, pathology)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental (drug therapy, metabolism, pathology)
• Diabetic Retinopathy (metabolism, pathology)
• Eye Proteins (analysis)
• Glycated Hemoglobin (analysis)
• Glycosylation
• Insulin (therapeutic use)
• Lens, Crystalline (analysis, drug effects, pathology)
• Male
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains
• Reference Values