PREVENTIVE ACTION OF VITAMIN-E-CONTAINING LIPOSOMES ON CATARACTOGENESIS IN YOUNG-ADULT RATS FED A 25-PERCENT GALACTOSE DIET

The preventive action of vitamin E (Vit. E)-containing liposomes on ca taractogenesis was examined in male Wistar rats (five weeks old) fed a 25% galactose diet. Vit. E-containing liposomes prepared with dipalmi toylphosphatidylcholine were instilled into both eyes three times a da y over a 45-day period. Cataract appeared at 18-day galactose feeding and developed gradually thereafter. Simultaneous Vit. E-containing lip osome instillation delayed this cataractogenesis. Lenses of 18-day gal actose-fed rats showed decreases in Vit. E and reduced glutathione (GS H) contents and Na+,K+-ATPase activity and increases in lipid peroxide (LPO), galacitol, and water contents. Lenses of 45-day galactose fed rats showed decreases in GSH content and Na+,K+-ATPase activity and in creases in Vit. E, LPO, galacitol, and water contents. Serum Vit. E an d cholesterol levels decreased in 18-day galactose-fed rats, while bot h levels increased in 45-day galactose-fed rats. Simultaneous Vit. E-c ontaining liposome instillation prevented these changes except for the changes of lenticular galacitol and water contents and serum Vit. E a nd cholesterol levels. These results indicate that simultaneously inst illed Vit. E-containing liposomes can delay cataractogenesis in young adult rats fed a 25% galactose diet mainly by the antioxidative action of Vit. E contained in the instilled liposomes.