LENTICULAR CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM, AND IRON LEVELS IN DIABETIC RATS AND VERAPAMIL EFFECT

Lenticular calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) changes in diab etic rats and the effects of the Ca antagonist drug verapamil on this electrolyte imbalance were studied. Verapamil administration had no ef fect on the blood glucose values. Compared to the control group, a sig nificant increase was observed in the lenticular Ca, Mg, and Fe conten t of the diabetic rats. Eight weeks of verapamil administration to the diabetic animals significantly reduced lenticular Ca, Mg, Fe values. Therefore it is suggested that verapamil might be a useful drug to pre vent diabetic cataract formation.