Stereospecific effects of R-lipoic acid on buthionine sulfoximine-induced cataract formation in newborn rats.

Abstract This study revealed a marked stereospecificity in the prevention of buthionine sulfoximine-induced cataract, and in the protection of lens antioxidants, in newborn rats by α-lipoate. R- and racemic α-lipoate decreased cataract formation from 100% (buthionine sulfoximine only) to 55% (buthionine sulfoximine + R-α-lipoic acid) and 40% (buthionine sulfoximine + rac-α-lipoic acid) (p