X‐RAY EFFECTS ON LENS DNA — IMPLICATIONS OF SUPEROXIDE(O₂·^‐)

Abstract

The photochemical generation of superoxide (O(2)) during in vitro exposure of bovine lenses induced damage in the structure of lens DNA as indicated by hyperchromicity and Tm measurements. The damage in lens DNA was significantly protected by the inclusion of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and ascorbate in the incubation medium before X-ray exposure. The protection by SOD, GSH and ascorbate occurred due to their interaction with O(2) radicals. These results thus indicate the deleterious effect of O(2) in lens physiology and the protective role of such compounds against radiation damage.

Telomere‐dependent senescent phenotype of lens epithelial cells as a biological marker of aging and cataractogenesis: the role of oxidative stress intensity and specific mechanism of phospholipid hydroperoxide toxicity in lens and aqueous

“…It is well established that a major factor involved in the development of cataract is oxidative insult [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. Oxidative stress associated with the formation of lipid peroxides is suggested to contribute to pathological processes in aging and systemic diseases, such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, chronic renal failure, inflammation, and retinal degenerative diseases known as statistically significant risk factors for cataract [21][22][23][24][25].…”