Our recent investigations have shown that the Eisai compound,
E-0722, (2R-4S-6-fluoro-1-2-methylspirochroman 4,4'-imidazolidine 2,5'-dione) is a more potent
aldose reductase inhibitor than
Sorbinil (D-6-fluorospirochroman 4,4'-imidazolidine 2,5'-dione). In the previous studies these
aldose reductase inhibitors were added to the 50%
galactose diet fed to rats to determine their effect on
galactose-induced alterations in the lens and the development of
cataract. In this report we present our results on the effect of prefeeding the
aldose reductase inhibitor,
E-0722, on the alterations in rat lens following subsequent feeding of
galactose. For this study, young Sprague Dawley rats were prefed either rat chow or rat chow plus 50%
galactose containing 1mg/day/Kg
body weight of
E-0722 for 1 or 2 weeks. After this dietary regimen, the animals were transferred to diets containing 50%
galactose for different periods. For controls, rats were fed either rat chow or 50%
galactose without the prefeeding of
E-0722. Our results obtained through gross observation of the
lenses, light microscopic studies of lens sections and assay of Na+-K+-
ATPase (NPPase) activity show that the prefeeding of
E-0722 prior to
galactose feeding delays
galactose-induced alterations and the development of mature
cataract.