Effects of bendazac L-lysine salt on X-ray-induced cataract in the rabbit lens

The effects of bendazac-L-lysine salt (bendazac-lysine) on some biochemical parameters (soluble and insoluble proteins, reduced glutathione, sulphydryl and disulphide groups, water content) in rabbit lens at different times after X-rays (2000 rads) were studied. The mature cataract (swelling and total lens opacity) developed 11-12 weeks after irradiation. In the mature cataract, the irradiated lenses not treated with bendazac-lysine (ILNTB) show a 32% increase in water content compared with controls; this increase is 12% in irradiated lens treated with bendazac-lysine (ILTB). Twelve weeks after irradiation the concentration of insoluble proteins in the controls, ILNTB and ILTB is 7.6%, 52.3% and 18.3% respectively. After 6, 8 and 12 weeks the concentration of reduced glutathione in ILNTB decreases by 23%, 81% and 92% as compared with the controls. In the ILTB the decrease is present only 8 and 12 weeks after X-irradiation and is of 55% and 69%, respectively. The sulphydryl-group content in the soluble proteins in ILNTB compared with the controls decreases by 26%, 38% and 47% after 6, 8 and 12 weeks, while in the ILTB a decrease is observed only after 8 and 12 weeks and is 6% and 12%, respectively. The decrease of the sulphydryl groups parallels the increase of the disulphide groups. This increase is already significant (P less than 0.01) after 6 weeks in the ILNTB, whereas it becomes significant in the ILTB only after 8 weeks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)