Source
Department of Ophthalmology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan. m-kojima@kanazawa-med.ac.jp
Abstract
PURPOSE:
alpha-Lipoic acid (LA) is well known as a powerful antioxidant. The efficacy of dihydrolipoate-LA for oral administration against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic cataract in rat was investigated.
METHODS:
Rats were divided into three groups, control, diabetes mellitus (DM), and DM treated with LA (DM+LA). Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of 50 mg/kg STZ. DM+LA rats were fed 30 mg/rat per day LA in their diet. Lens changes were assessed using Scheimpflug images (EAS-1000) and by measuring light-scattering intensity.
RESULTS:
Increase in lens light scattering was less (P < 0.05) in DM+LA rats than in DM rats 5 weeks after induction of diabetes. DM rats had the highest and control rats the lowest blood glucose levels at every measurement point up to 111 days (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
LA treatment delayed development and progression of cataract in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.
(c) Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2007.