Prevention of selenite-induced opacification and biochemical changes in the rat pup lens through amiloride pretreatment.

Purpose. To determine the effects of amiloride on selenite-induced cataracts, to identify this agent’s role as an anti-oxidant, and to study related effects on ion levels in the rat lens. Methods. Wistar albino rat pups were assigned to one of three groups, one control and two experimental. The first experimental group (Group 1; n = 22) received a subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite (30 nmol/g body weight) on postpartum day 10. The second experimental group (Group 2; n = 21) received a subcutaneous injection of amiloride (1 nmol/g body weight) 15 minutes before the sodium selenite injection. The control group (n = 22) received no injection. The pups in each group were observed during three weeks after the injection date. At the end of this period, the stage of cataract development was identified by comparison with slit lamp photographs and then the pups were sacrificed and their lenses were removed intracapsularly using a posterior approach. Cation analysis was carried out and glutathione and malond...