EFFECTS OF NEAR UV-RADIATION AND ANTIOXIDANTS ON THE RESPONSE OF DOGFISH (MUSTELUS-CANIS) LENS TO ELEVATED H2O2

In vitro exposure of dogfish (Mustelus canis) lenses to near-UV energy not incompatible with that of the environment, causes an opalescence that is not present in unirradiated lenses or those irradiated after s oaking in alpha-tocopherol or deferoxamine. The ability of whole lense s to destroy H2O2, as shown by their ability to produce O-2 bubbles in H2O2 containing media, is markedly diminished by UV exposure without these antioxidant/free radical scavengers added. The lens capsule epit helium is the major site of catalase activity. Bubble formation was pr evented by presoaking the lenses in 3-amino-triazole (3-AT), a potent catalase inhibitor. Analytical measurements confirmed the above observ ations. Near-UV inhibition of catalase may allow H2O2 in, the aqueous humor to damage the lens by exerting oxidative stress.