[Dynamic changes in the organophosphate metabolites of the lenses affected by endotoxin and S-antigen induced...

Using 31P-NMR spectroscopy, the authors observed dynamic changes in the organophosphate metabolites in the lenses of two groups of Lewis rats affected by experimental uveitis induced by injecting Salmonella lipopolysaccharide (n = 20) or S-antigen (n = 25). A comparative study was done on the metabolic changes, the degree of inflammation, and histological changes in the rat lenses. Dynamic changes in the organophosphate profile in the lenses were measured by 31P-NMR spectroscopy. Only inorganic phosphate showed a significant increase (p less than 0.05) related to the increased inflammation in the endotoxin group, but the lenses showed no morphological change. Choline phosphate, adenosine triphosphate, and inorganic phosphate increased significantly (p less than 0.01) in the acute stage of inflammation, but a significant decrease (p less than 0.01) was evident from the peak of inflammation, following the histological destruction of the lenses. Our results indicated that in experimental uveitis dynamic changes in the organophosphate profile of the lenses were closely related to the protecting reaction against the stress caused by inflammation. Furthermore, we theorized that the generation of the secondary cataract was associated with the decreased metabolism of the phosphate compounds.