OXIDATIVE STRESS TO RAT LENS IN-VITRO - PROTECTION BY TAURINE

The concentration of taurine is high in the lens. However, its functio n therein remains unknown. Studies from other tissues suggest that in addition to several other modes of action, it acts as an antioxidant. We therefore hypothesize that taurine may be a part of the antioxidant defense mechanisms involved in protecting the lens against oxidative stress and consequent cataract formation. In these studies, the protec tive effect of taurine was examined using lens culture system with men adione as an oxidant. Inclusion of this compound in the incubation med ium was found to have several adverse effects on the lens, such as a d ecrease in its ability to accumulate rubidium against a concentration gradient and fall in the levels of glutathione, ATP and an increase in water insoluble proteins. All these deleterious effects were attenuat ed significantly by addition of physiological amounts of taurine to th e menadione-containing medium.