Effect of aspirin and vitamin E on phase separation in calf lens homogenate

Vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol) and aspirin were evaluated for their effects on the phase separation temperature, Tc, of calf lens cytoplasm. Vitamin E and aspirin were added to nuclear homogenate and the change in Tc was measured. Aspirin had no measurable effect on Tc. Vitamin E lowered Tc at a rate of -22 degrees C M-1 l-1. The results suggest that the effects of aspirin on cataract are unrelated to phase separation and that vitamin E may act on the phase separation in precataractous lens cells.