Redox status of the eye lens: A regional study

Authors: Argirova, Mariana¹; Kleine-Reidick, Mischa²; Breipohl, Winrich²

Source: Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics, Volume 41, Number 3, October 2004 , pp. 381-389(9)

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Abstract:

The aim of this work was to study the regional variation of some antioxidant systems in calf lens. Specific lens regions of nearly same age were obtained by a microsectioning technique, and the concentration of reduced and oxidized glutathione, protein sulfhydryl groups and iron were measured in each lens region. The concentration of reduced glutathione, the major redox buffer in lens, exponentially decreased from the cortical regions to the nucleus. In contrast, the concentration of protein sulfhydryl groups gradually increased from the cortex toward the nucleus. The protein-bound disulfides remained constant throughout the lens. Iron was concentrated in the outer cortical region.

The results show that the most dynamic redox-active zone in the lens is the subcapsular cortical region where the oxidant flux meets a highly reducing environment containing a potent redox catalyst.

Keywords: Reduced glutathione; oxidized glutathione; protein sulfhydryl groups; iron; cataract; oxidative stress; reactive oxygen species

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1385/CBB:41:3:381

Affiliations: 1: Department of Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Abbéstr. 2, 53105, Bonn, Germany, Email: margirova@hotmail.com 2: Department of Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Abbéstr. 2, 53105, Bonn, Germany,

Publication date: 2004-10-01