Hydrogen saline prevents selenite-induced cataract in rats

Mol Vis. 2013 Jul 29:19:1684-93. Print 2013.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential antioxidative effect and mechanism for the protective effects of hydrogen saline on selenite-induced cataract in rats.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rat pups were divided into the following groups: control (Group A), selenite induced (Group B), and selenite plus hydrogen saline treated (Group C). Rat pups in Groups B and C received a single subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite (25 μmol/kg bodyweight) on postnatal day 12. Group C also received an intraperitoneal injection of H2 saline (5 ml/kg bodyweight) daily from postnatal day 8 to postnatal day 17. The development of cataract was assessed weekly by slit-lamp examination for 2 weeks. After sacrifice, extricated lenses were analyzed for activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase, levels of malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione (GSH), and total sulfhydryl contents.

Results: The magnitude of lens opacification in Group B was significantly higher than in Group A (p<0.05), while Group C had less opacification than Group B (p<0.05). Compared with Group B, the mean activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase, levels of GSH, and total sulfhydryl contents were higher, whereas the level of malondialdehyde was lower following treatment with hydrogen saline(p<0.05).

Conclusions: This is an initial report showing that hydrogen saline can prevent selenite-induced cataract in rats. It acts via maintaining antioxidant enzymes and GSH, protecting the sulfhydryl group, and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Cataract / chemically induced
  • Cataract / drug therapy*
  • Cataract / pathology
  • Cataract / prevention & control*
  • Crystallins / metabolism
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Hydrogen / pharmacology
  • Hydrogen / therapeutic use*
  • Lens, Crystalline / drug effects
  • Lens, Crystalline / metabolism
  • Lens, Crystalline / pathology
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sodium Chloride / pharmacology
  • Sodium Chloride / therapeutic use*
  • Sodium Selenite*
  • Solubility
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Crystallins
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Hydrogen
  • Glutathione
  • Sodium Selenite