Hydrogen saline prevents selenite-induced cataract in rats

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.

Figure 1

Lens opacification in the eyes of the 26-day-old rat pups under slit-lamp microscope (magnification of 40×) in various experimental groups. A: Rat pups received only saline (Group A). B: Rat pups received only selenite (Group B). C: Rat pups received selenite and H₂ saline (Group C).

Figure 2

The concentrations of water-soluble proteins in lenticular samples of the 26-day-old rat pups in various experimental groups. Group A: Rat pups received only saline. Group B: Rat pups received only selenite. Group C: Rat pups received selenite and hydrogen saline. Values are expressed as mean±standard deviation (SD). Statistical analysis of the data was subject to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the least significant difference (LSD) test. *Group B is compared with Group A: p<0.05. # Group C is compared with Group B: p<0.05 (n=9).

Figure 3

The activities of antioxidant enzymes in lenticular samples of the 26-day-old rat pups in various experimental groups. Group A: Rat pups received only saline. Group B: Rat pups received only selenite. Group C: Rat pups received selenite and hydrogen saline. A: The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in lens (n=9). B: The activity of catalase (CAT) in lens (n=9). C: The activity of glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) in lens (n=6). D: The activity of glutathione reductase (GR) in lens (n=9). E: The activity of glutathione S- transferase (GST) in lens (n=9). Values are expressed as mean±standard deviation (SD). Statistical analysis of the data was subject to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the least significant difference (LSD) test. * Compared with Group A: p<0.05. # Compared with Group B: p<0.05.

Figure 4

The level of malondialdehyde (a lipid peroxidation product index) in lenticular samples of the 26-day-old rat pups in various experimental groups. Group A: Rat pups received only saline. Group B: Rat pups received only selenite. Group C: Rat pups received selenite and hydrogen saline. Values are expressed as mean±standard deviation (SD). Statistical analysis of the data was subject to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the least significant difference (LSD) test. * Compared with Group A: p<0.05. # Compared with Group B: p<0.05 (n=8).

Figure 5

The levels of reduced glutathione and sulfhydryl content in lens. A: The levels of reduced glutathione in lenticular samples of the 26-day-old rat pups in various experimental groups (n=6). B: The levels of total sulfhydryl content in lenticular samples of the 26-day-old rat pups in various experimental groups (n=6). Group A: Rat pups received only saline. Group B: Rat pups received only selenite. Group C: Rat pups received selenite and hydrogen saline. Values are expressed as mean±standard deviation (SD). Statistical analysis of the data was subject to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the least significant difference (LSD) test. * Compared with Group A: p<0.05. # Compared with Group B: p<0.05.