The major and long-term objective of proposed investigation is to study the mechanism(s) of cataractogenesis and develop approaches to delay or inhibit cataract development. Cataracts induced with galactose and X-rays in rats and rabbits will be used as experimental models to fulfill our objectives. Using this model, the mechanism of cataract induction and reversal will be studied. Moreover, effect of galactose cataract inhibvitors such as flavanoids and other aldose reductase inhibitors will be investigated. Morphological techniques involving light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy and ultrastructural cytochemistry for enzyme localization will be used for all investigations. Cytochemical localization and quantitation of enzymes, such as Na-K-ATPase, catalase, peroxidases, acid phosphatase and arylsulfatase, considered to be playing an important role in galactose of X-ray induced cataractogenesis will be performed. Morphological and cytochemical investigations of normal and cataractous human lenses will also be conducted. These studies will provide useful information to understand cataractogenesis in human lenses associated with diabetes or senility.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY001680-10
Application #
3256119
Study Section
Visual Sciences A Study Section (VISA)
Project Start
1979-06-01
Project End
1987-05-31
Budget Start
1985-06-01
Budget End
1986-05-31
Support Year
10
Fiscal Year
1985
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Oakland University
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Rochester
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48309
Unakar, N J; Tsui, J; Johnson, M (1997) Effect of pretreatment of germanium-132 on Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and galactose cataracts. Curr Eye Res 16:832-7
Unakar, N J; Johnson, M; Tsui, J et al. (1995) Effect of germanium-132 on galactose cataracts and glycation in rats. Exp Eye Res 61:155-64
Unakar, N J; Bobrowski, W F; Tsui, J Y et al. (1993) Elemental studies in rat lens during galactose cataract reversal. Curr Eye Res 12:675-83
Unakar, N J; Tsui, J; Anthony, P et al. (1993) Aldose reductase inhibitors and galactose toxicity in neonatal and maternal rat lenses. J Ocul Pharmacol 9:341-53
Johnson, M J; Unakar, N J (1992) Alterations in lens permeability during galactose cataract development in rat. Lens Eye Toxic Res 9:93-113
Wen, Y; Shu, S; Unakar, N J et al. (1992) Expression of c-myc protooncogene in rat lens cells during development, maturation and reversal of galactose cataracts. Mol Cell Biochem 112:73-9
Unakar, N J; Tsui, J Y; Johnson, M J (1992) Effect of aldose reductase inhibitors on lenticular dulcitol level in galactose fed rats. J Ocul Pharmacol 8:199-212
Shi, S; Unakar, N J; Wen, Y et al. (1992) Transient elevation of aldose reductase mRNA in lens of rats developing galactose cataracts. Mol Cell Biochem 115:27-34
Unakar, N J; Tsui, J Y; Johnson, M et al. (1991) In utero and milk-mediated effect of aldose reductase inhibitor on galactose cataracts. Exp Eye Res 53:665-76
Unakar, N J; Johnson, M J; Hynes, K (1991) Permeability studies in neonatal rat lens epithelium. Lens Eye Toxic Res 8:75-99

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