Inhibition of galactose-induced cataractogenesis by troglitazone, a new antidiabetic drug with an antioxidant property, in rat lens culture

Troglitazone is a new antidiabetic drag with a combined chemical structure of thiazolidinedione and alpha-tocopherol like structure (chroman ring). We evaluated the effect of troglitazone on the morphological and biochemical changes in rat lenses cultured with galactose. Culturing in 30 mM galactose medium for 48 hrs resulted in vacuole formation in the cortex of lens equa tor (early phase of cataract). A significant amount of galactitol accumulat ion and lipid peroxide formation were also observed in lenses exposed to ga lactose. These morphological and biochemical changes associated with galact ose were inhibited by 2 or 20 mu M troglitazone present in the galactose me dium. These results confirm the previous finding that troglitazone delayed the formation of cataract in rats fed a galactose diet. The anticataract ef fect of troglitazone was discussed in terms of antioxidant property of the drug.