Indian
J Physiol Pharmacol 2003; 191 - 196
Changes
in glutathione, glutathione-linked enzymes and hexose monophosphate
shunt enzymes in senile cataract
Sabu George, Jyothi M, Betzy Mathew and S. Shashidhar*
Physiological Chemistry Research Laboratory,
School of Biosciences,
Mahatma Gandhi University,
Kottayam – 686 560
( Received on August 20, 2001 )
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Abstract
Changes in glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), glutathione reductase (GSH-R), reduced
glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PO), transketolase
(TK) and transaldolase (TA) were studied in lens and red blood
cells (RBCs) to understand the possible biochemical mechanisms
responsible for the development of senile cataract. The activity
of G-6-PD was increased in lens, though not so in erythrocytes
during cataractogenesis. A marked decrease was observed in
GSH level and GSH-R activity in the lens and RBCs of the cataractous
group. The activity of GSH-PO was remarkably high in lens
but not in the erythrocytes during the maturity of cataract.
The activity of TK decreased gradually in both the lens and
erythrocytes. The activity of TA decreased in erythrocytes
but increased in the lens with maturation of cataract.
