Protective effects of taurine against alloxan-induced diabetic cataracts and refraction changes in New Zealand White rabbits
Journal
Experimental Eye Research
Journal Volume
103
Pages
71-77
Date Issued
2012
Author(s)
Abstract
The present study examined the protective effects of taurine on alloxan-induced diabetic cataracts and lens damage in male New Zealand White rabbits. The animals were randomly divided into three treatment groups: (1) normal control (vehicle administration); (2) diabetes (100 mg/kg alloxan administration); and (3) diabetes + taurine (1% [w/v] taurine dissolved in drinking water and alloxan administration). The results showed that alloxan-induced diabetes caused significant (p < 0.05) hyperglycemia, hyperopic refraction shifts, cataract formation and lens damage compared with the normal control group. In contrast, the administration of taurine for 24 weeks significantly ameliorated the alloxan-induced elevated levels of blood glucose, level of hyperopic refraction error shifts in the eyes and progression of diabetic cataract formation in the lens in rabbits. Moreover, histopathology showed that the taurine supplement reduced the incidence of lens lesions induced by hyperglycemia. Overall, the studies demonstrate that taurine exhibits potent protective effects against alloxan-induced diabetic cataracts and refraction changes in rabbits. ? 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
Subjects
Alloxan; Cataract; Diabetes; Lens; Taurine
SDGs
Other Subjects
alloxan; drinking water; glucose; taurine; alloxan diabetes mellitus; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; article; body weight; cataract; cataractogenesis; controlled study; experimental rabbit; eye protection; eye refraction; glucose blood level; histopathology; hyperglycemia; hypermetropia; male; nonhuman; priority journal; Alloxan; Animals; Blood Glucose; Body Weight; Cataract; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Hyperglycemia; Hyperopia; Male; Rabbits; Refraction, Ocular; Retinoscopy; Taurine
Type
journal article