H. Nishigori et al., GLUCOCORTICOID-INDUCED CATARACT OF THE DEVELOPING CHICK-EMBRYO PREVENTION BY PROPYLENE-GLYCOL, Ophthalmic research, 27(6), 1995, pp. 350-355
When 0.25 mu mol of hydrocortisone succinate sodium (HC) was administe
red to 15-day-old hen's fertile eggs, almost all lenses of the embryos
became cataractous with stages IV-V (>90%) 48 h after the treatment.
However, a triple application of propylene glycol (1.5 mmol/egg) at 3,
10 and 20 h after HC treatment effectively prevented the HC-induced c
ataract formation (I: 84%, II: 12%, III: 4%, IV-V: 0%) and repressed t
he decline of glutathione and the elevation of lipid peroxide in the l
ens caused by HC. Propylene glycol is metabolized to lactate and pyruv
ate producing NADH and is known to possess protective activities again
st X-ray irradiation. These properties have modified the HC-induced ef
fects and decreased the production of oxidative stress in ovo, protect
ing the lens from losing its transparency after HC administration. Fur
thermore, a marked elevation of glucose in cataractous lenses noted af
ter HC administration was not directly involved in opacification of th
e lenses.