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Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Characterization of Molecular Mechanisms of In vivo UVR Induced Cataract
Published on: November 28, 2012
Vitamin E can protect against ultraviolet radiation-induced cataract in albino rats
Marcelo N Ayala1, Per G Söderberg
1Orebro University Hospital, Eye Department, Sweden. marcelo.ayala@ste.ki.se
Purpose:
To investigate if vitamin E protects against ultraviolet B radiation (UVB)-induced cataract.
Methods:
Albino Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: one group was fed vitamin E, while the other group was used as a control. Both groups were exposed to UVB. The rats were sacrificed, lenses extracted, forward light scattering was measured, and vitamin E and glutathione (GSH) contents were determined.
Results:
Lenses in the vitamin E group developed slight opacities, while lenses in the control group developed nuclear cataracts. Forward light scattering in lenses of the control group was higher than in lenses in the vitamin-E-supplemented group. Vitamin E and GSH concentrations were higher in lenses treated with vitamin E than in the untreated group.
Conclusions:
Vitamin E protects the lens against UVB-induced cataract. Vitamin E protects directly as an antioxidant and/or indirectly through increased levels of GSH.