[The inhibitory effect of gamma-glutamylcysteinylethyl ester (gamma-GCE) instillation on experimental diabetic cataract formation in rats].

Abstract

The effect of the instillation of gamma-glutamylcysteinylethyl ester (gamma-GCE), which has been reported to function as a precursor of glutathione, on cataract formation was examined in rats in which diabetes had been induced by Streptozotocin (STZ). Three days after i.p. treatment with 50 mg/kg body weight of STZ, male Wistar rats aged 6 weeks received instillations of gamma-GCE in solution or liposomes prepared with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) for a period of 9 weeks. Cataract formation and development were observed by use of a cataract camera every week. After 9 weeks' observation, the lenses were enucleated and the content of the lens GSH was measured. Instillation of gamma-GCE in solution or liposomes to STZ-diabetic rats not only inhibited cataract formation but also kept lens GSH level almost at the control level. In addition, the inhibitory effect of the instillation of gamma-GCE in liposome was stronger than that of gamma-GCE in solution. The present results indicate that the administration of gamma-GCE in solution or in liposomes inhibits diabetic cataract formation, possibly by preventing lens GSH depletion.

• Authors: H Hattori, Y Majima, H Fukami, H Torii, Y Nagamura, I Ishiguro, Y Ohta
• Journal: Nippon Ganka Gakkai zasshi (Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi) Vol. 95 Issue 3 Pg. 228-34 (Mar 1991) ISSN: 0029-0203 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 1831318 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Dipeptides
• N-gamma-glutamylcysteine ethyl ester
• Streptozocin
• Glutathione

Topics

• Animals
• Cataract (etiology, prevention & control)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental (complications)
• Dipeptides (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Glutathione (metabolism)
• Instillation, Drug
• Lens, Crystalline (drug effects, metabolism)
• Male
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains
• Streptozocin