An aspect of cell level changes in the sugar-induced cataractous lens
Kamiya, M.; Majima, Y.; Iwata, S.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 90(2): 291-296
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0203 PMID: 3085441 Document Number: 281683
To clarify the mechanism of sugar-induced cataract formation, the authors have attempted the analysis of the growth and sugar metabolism in the lens epithelium from galactose-fed rats. When rats were fed galatose, the increased proliferation of the epithelial cells was observed in vivo. The lens epithelial cells from galactose-fed rats were cultured in vitro and their growth situation was examined. The cells of galactose-fed rats grew with better viability in the normal medium as well as the medium containing galactose, compared with those of normal rats as control. The production of lactate, which is an evidence of glycolytic pathway, was assayed both in the lens epithelial layer attached to capsule as it was and in the cultured epithelial cells. The cells of galactose-fed rats produced much more lactate in both cases than the normal cells. When two key enzymes in sugar metabolism, hexokinase of glycolytic pathway and aldose reductase of sorbital pathway, were assayed, the cells of galactose-fed rats showed the higher activities of two enzymes in the lens epithelial layer than the normal cells. These results suggests that the pathways of sugar metabolism in the lens epithelium are stimulated by the elevated level of galactose and that such changes in sugar utilization may lead to abnormal proliferation of the epithelial cells consequently to cataract.