Cataract and γ-Glutamyl Cycle in Myotonic Dystrophy

Cassia tora leaves modulates selenite cataract by enhancing antioxidant status and preventing cytoskeletal protein loss in lenses of Sprague Dawley rat pups

“…Also, GGT mediated cleavage of GSH could initiate a redox cycling mechanism resulting in the production of the superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide. Elevated serum GGT is closely related to visual dysfunction (Mbenza et al, 2012) and rapid catabolism and low levels of lenticular glutathione by GGT is reported in cataractogenesis (Vassilopoulos et al, 1977). In the present study, elevated GGT activity in cataract group indicating the role of free radical damage in cataract pathology and ECT reverses its activity in treated animals indicating its anticataractogenic effect.…”

Cataracts and Allergic Encephalomyelitis

“…These results and the dramatic wasting in the juvenile guinea pigs in EAE bring to mind the cataracts observed in humans not able to incorporate glucose into wasting muscle of myotonic dystrophy [18]. Elevated levels of serum y-glutamyl transpeptidase in myotonic dys trophy patients implicate this enzyme in the low levels of lenticular glutathione associated with cataract formation [19].…”

Reassessment of the Specificity of Lens Opacities in Myotonic Dystrophy

“…Fol lowing Vos [3] and Jungc [4], scattered, irides cent or whitish, dust-like opacities can be con sidered the first stage of cataract in DM. The biochemical and ultrastructural changes of the lens was described by Horvath [5], who found a decreased amount of sodium and potassium content of the lens in myotonic as compared to senile cataract; further studies suggested that the elevated serum y-glutamyltranspeptidase observed in DM could predis pose to cataract formation [6].…”