The effect of high glucose and oxidative stress on lens metabolism, aldose reductase, and senile cataractogenesis

Metabolism. 1986 Apr;35(4 Suppl 1):10-4. doi: 10.1016/0026-0495(86)90180-0.

Abstract

Diabetic cataractogenesis, a multifactorial process, was examined with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). P-31 NMR spectroscopic studies showed substantial alteration of both energy and membrane metabolism in the diabetic lens. Findings from a C-13 NMR spectroscopic determination of the sorbitol pathway flux in lenses incubated in 35.5 mmol/L glucose revealed that (1) one-third of total glucose consumed was channeled through this pathway, and (2) the turnover rate of NADPH to NADP was 3,000%/hr. Furthermore, a competition for NADPH between aldose reductase and glutathione reductase was demonstrated. It is important to note that all metabolic changes in hyperglycemic/diabetic lenses can be prevented by aldose reductase inhibitors, eg, sorbinil.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / analysis
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Aldehyde Reductase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Aldehyde Reductase / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cataract / etiology
  • Cataract / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Diabetes Complications
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Glucose / pharmacology*
  • Glycerophosphates / analysis
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Imidazolidines*
  • Lens, Crystalline / analysis
  • Lens, Crystalline / drug effects
  • Lens, Crystalline / enzymology
  • Lens, Crystalline / metabolism*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • NADP / metabolism
  • Oxidation-Reduction*
  • Rats
  • Sorbitol / metabolism
  • Sugar Alcohol Dehydrogenases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Glycerophosphates
  • Imidazoles
  • Imidazolidines
  • Sorbitol
  • NADP
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • alpha-glycerophosphoric acid
  • Sugar Alcohol Dehydrogenases
  • Aldehyde Reductase
  • sorbinil
  • Glucose