Glutathione concentration and peptidase activity in the lens after exposure to microwaves

This study was undertaken for observation of early changes in glutathione concentration and the activity of carboxypeptidase A and aminopeptidase in the cortex and core of the lens as well as for determination of the cumulating effect of microwave energy after repeated exposures to microwaves. Experiments were carried out on New Zealand rabbits. The control group was compared to experimental groups exposed every day for 5 minutes to microwave irradiation of the eyeballs at power densities of 5 X 10(-3) W/cm2 and 10 X 10(-3) W/cm2 during 10, 20 and 30 days. Differences were found between the control group and the groups of animals exposed to microwaves in which the glutathione concentration in the cortex and core of the lens was decreasing with time in proportion to the number of exposures. Parallelly to the number of days of exposure to microwaves the enzymatic activity of carboxypeptidase A and aminopeptidase increased in the cortex of the lens. The observed changes demonstrate cumulation of the absorbed microwave energy leading to changes in the permeability of the capsule and membranes of lenticular fibres which lead to secondary metabolic disturbances in the lens of the eye.