Physical Changes in Bovine Lens Homogenate Following Ultraviolet Irradiation and Their Prevention by Some Compounds

Abstract

Exposure of the dialyzed supernatant of bovine lens homogenate to ultraviolet (UV) light led to increases in its turbidity, pigmentation, and viscosity. These photochemically induced alterations of lens proteins were prevented by glutathione, cysteine and N-acetylcysteine, but not by ascorbic acid, S-(1, 2-dicarboxyethyl)-glutathione or dulcitol.