Related Experiment Videos
Singlet oxygen as a possible factor in human senile nuclear cataract development
Current Eye Research
|January 1, 1984
Summary
Singlet oxygen, a reactive oxidant, causes oxidative damage to lens crystallins, mimicking age-related and cataract changes. Its presence in human lenses suggests a role in senile nuclear cataract development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Ophthalmology
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Lens crystallins are susceptible to oxidative damage.
- Aging and cataracts involve protein modifications in the lens.
- Singlet oxygen is a highly reactive oxidant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of photodynamically generated singlet oxygen on lens crystallins.
- To determine if singlet oxygen can induce oxidative modifications similar to those found in aging and cataractous lenses.
- To explore the presence of singlet oxygen-producing species in human lenses.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies exposing lens crystallins to photodynamically generated singlet oxygen.
- Analysis of oxidative modifications in crystallins.
- Detection of singlet oxygen-producing species in human lens samples using near UV radiation.
Main Results:
- Photodynamically generated singlet oxygen induces oxidative modifications in crystallins in vitro.
- These modifications are characteristic of proteins found in aging and cataractous lenses.
- Species capable of producing singlet oxygen are present in human lenses, especially with near UV exposure.
Conclusions:
- Singlet oxygen can cause oxidative damage to lens crystallins, replicating changes seen in aging and cataracts.
- The presence of singlet oxygen-producing agents in human lenses implicates this reactive oxygen species in the development of senile nuclear cataracts.