Cataractous changes in rat lens following cigarette smoke exposure is prevented by parenteral deferoxamine therapy

Objectives: To test whether iron accumulation in the lens following cigaret te smoke exposure is the principal mechanism in smoke-related cataractogene sis and to assess the possible protective effect of deferoxamine mesylate t reatment against lenticular degeneration with in vivo exposure to cigarette smoke. Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 equal gro ups. Groups 3 and 4 rats were exposed to cigarette smoke for I hour each da y for 90 consecutive days, and groups 1 and 2 rats were treated in a simila r manner but exposed only to room air. In addition, deferoxamine was given subcutaneously to groups 2 and 4 rats. Both eyes of all the animals were th en enucleated and 1 eye prepared for histopathological examination. The fel low eye was used to measure iron, calcium, zinc, and cop-per levels. Results: Significantly higher iron and calcium and lower zinc levels were o bserved in the lenses of group 3 rats compared with those in the other grou ps. Similar comparisons performed between groups 1 and 2, 1 and 4, and 2 an d 4 did not show any significant difference. Copper concentrations did not differ between groups. Distinct histopathological changes in the anterior l ens epithelium, such as hyperplasia, hypertrophy, and epithelial multilayer ing, and the presence of swollen epithelial cells overlying the posterior l ens capsule, observed in group 3 rats, were not present in the other groups . Conclusions: Cataractogenesis following cigarette smoke exposure in rats wa s associated with the accumulation of iron, and concurrent deferoxamine the rapy prevented such cataract formation. Clinical Relevance: Our results may apply to human cataract formation assoc iated with cigarette smoking, so such pathogenesis may be prevented by conc urrent parenteral deferoxamine treatment Clinical studies are needed, howev er, to determine the value of this suggestion.