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Effect of Cocarboxylase on the Development of Galactose Cataract in Rats

1955; BMJ; Volume: 39; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1136/bjo.39.1.37

1468-2079

Ruth van Heyningen, A. Pirie, John Blackwell,

Advanced Glycation End Products research

HoRMANN (1954) reported that regular subcutaneous injections of cocarboxy- lase (vitamin B1 pyrophosphate) prevented the development of galactose cataract in young rats.He fed 70 per cent. of the diet as lactose or 30 per cent.as galactose.The diet of 70 per cent.lactose was toxic and the rats died before cataract occurred, although histologically early lens changes were detectable.Three litters of rats were fed 30 per cent.galactose and in two of them all the rats had complete lens opacities in 45-58 days.In the third litter, which was from one of the rats showing galactose cataract, the lens opacities were less severe.Five rats fed 30 per cent.galactose and given injections of cocarboxylase showed minimal lens changes that disappeared when the dose of cocarboxy- lase was increased; five rats fed 70 per cent.lactose, and also given cocar- boxylase not only showed no cataract but also survived for the 100 days of the experiment, in contrast to the rats fed 70 per cent.lactose, without cocarboxylase which died within 12-14 days.Cocarboxylase is a coenzyme for the oxidation of pyruvic acid by animal tissues, and is therefore a vital link in the chain of reactions through which glucose is oxidized.H'ormann's results appeared so interesting and important that we undertook a small scale repetition of his experiment, but unfortunately we have been unable to confirm his results. MethodsApart from three modifications which will be described, we followed H6rmann's technique and diet exactly.Weanling albino rats (33-50 g.) were used.These were housed in individual cages on wire mesh screens.Diet 30 per cent.galacttse 15 per cent.casein (fat and vitamin free) 40 per cent.oatmeal 9 per cent.olive oil 2 per cent.liver oil 4 per cent.salt mixture Water ad lib.