We reported that in utero
galactose-induced
cataracts could be inhibited if
aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) were included in the
galactose diet of pregnant rats. These studies involved morphological and cytochemical approaches. We undertook this investigation to evaluate the effects of ARIs in preventing the formation, accumulation and depletion of
dulcitol in
lenses of in utero
galactose exposed neonates and in mothers during and following pregnancy. Sprague Dawley rats were fed Purina Rat Chow with 50%
galactose either with or without 15mg
Sorbinil or 1mg Eisai compound
E-0722/day/Kg
body weight during and following pregnancy. The
lenses of neonates and mothers were processed to determine
dulcitol concentrations. At parturition there was a significant amount of
dulcitol in the
lenses of pups and their mothers, which reduced rapidly in the
lenses of pups regardless of the diet fed to the nursing mother. While
galactose had a cross-placental but not a milk-mediated effect, the ARIs had both cross-placental and milk-mediated effects on
dulcitol accumulation and depletion, respectively. The
galactose feeding of mothers post-parturition maintained the high lenticular
dulcitol concentration and the absence of
galactose led to a reduction in lenticular
dulcitol. The correlation between
dulcitol accumulation and
cataract development is discussed.