Pyridoxal 5-phosphate preserves lens biochemical and structural integrity in experimental cataract formation

Cataract is one of the main causes of visual impairment in the world, and although surgical management has improved, there is no clinically approved pharmacological treatment for cataract. The current study was designed to assess the effect of pyridoxal 5-phosphate (PLP) in sodium selenite-induced cataract in the albino rat pups. In this experiment, 24 albino rat pups were used in four groups (n = 6): Group 1 (normal control; was administered saline), Group II (disease control was administered sodium selenite), and Groups III and IV (treated group 50 and 100mg/kg orally PLP). Treatment (PLP) and cataract induction (Sodium selenite) were done on postpartum day 10. During the experiment, the progression of cataract was analyzed. All the rats were sacrificed on the postnatal 30th day after the completion of the experiment. The lens tissue was removed and then subjected to biochemical quantification and histological examination. Biochemical measurements comprised lens protein content, Na⁺K⁺ATPase activity, lipid peroxidation (MDA), antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH), lens cholesterol, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF- α, IL-1β, IL-6), and the apoptotic enzyme (caspase-3) and histopathological analysis. Administration of sodium selenite causes cataract formation, which includes increased lens opacities, decreased protein levels and Na⁺K⁺ATPase activity, increased MDA, lens cholesterol, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and caspase-3 enzyme, and decreased endogenous antioxidants. Treatment with both doses of PLP restored the biochemical levels to normal. These results contribute to PLP as a potential anticataract agent, which can be associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-apoptotic properties and should be investigated further on a translational level.