Analysis of proteins during early stage selenite cataract & cataract prevention in rats

Purpose. To determine the protective effect of pantethine on lens proteins during early stage cataract formation. Method. At post-natal day 13 or 14, Sprague Dawley rat pups were injected with 19 μM/kg sodium selenite. To prevent cataract. 1.5 mM/kg pantethine was injected subcutaneously in the right shoulder 30 min. before the selenite injection. The rat lenses were observed using a slit lamp at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 hours and at 4 and 5 days after selenite injection. During the same period, the ratio of soluble and insoluble proteins was measured and the composition of soluble and insoluble proteins was analyzed using SDS-PAGE and western blotting. Results. Selenite induced cataract was prevented by pantethine injection. Pantethine protected against increased opacification, increased protein aggregation and the loss of soluble proteins during cataract formation. By day 3, crystalline and cytoskeletal proteins were degraded in the selenite injection group. In contrast, protection against degradation and aggregation of proteins was observed in the selenite plus pantethine injection group. Conclusion. Pantethine protected against opacification due to the degradation and aggregation of lens proteins in the selenite cataract model.