PEROXIDE DAMAGE TO RAT LENS IN-VITRO - PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF DEHYDROASCORBATE

The possible protective effect of dehydroascorbate against peroxide da mage to rat lens under in vitro organ culture has been studied by meas uring the levels of ATP, GSH and the uptakes of rubidium and alpha-ami noisobutyric acid. All these parameters were adversely affected by the presence of 0.5 mM hydrogen peroxide in the culture medium. Dehydroas corbate (1 mM) protected the lens against such effects. The protective effect is tentatively attributable to the utilization of peroxide in peroxidative decarboxylation of the dehydroascorbate, in a manner simi lar to that of other alpha-ketoacids.