Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Extract Prevents Selenite-Induced Cataract Formation In Rats And The Mechanism Research

Objective: To investigate whether grape seed proanthocyanidin extract （GSPE）prevented selenite-induced cataract formation in rats.Methods: Eighty eight-day-old Sprague-Dawley rat pups were divided randomly into5groups: control group, model group, low dose, medium dose and high dose of GSPEgroup. Control group received physiological saline subcutaneous injection. Model groupreceived subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite （20μmol/kg body weight） onpostpartum day10, and once every other day for continual three times thereafter. GSPEtreated groups respectivly received GSPE （50,100,200mg/kg body weight） intragastricadministration2days prior to the selenite injection （that is, on postpartum day8）, and oncedaily for fourteen consecutive days thereafter. The lenses opacity were observed gradedand photographed under slit lamp microscopy and the maximal diameter of the nuclearcataract plaques was measured. The histomorphology of lenses was observed with HE stainunder light microscope.Results: The results showed subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite led to severenuclear cataract in model group, and the achievement ratio of the model group was100%.Compared with model group, the degree of lenses opacity and the maximal diameter ofnuclear cataract plaques were significantly reduced in GSPE treated groups（P<0.05orP<0.01or P<0.001）. Moreover, the extent of damage in lenses was marked reduced inGSPE treated groups.Conclusion: The results suggested that GSPE markedly prevented selenite-inducedcataract formation, and we found the lowest effective dose of GSPE was50mg/kg. Objective: To investigate whether grape seed proanthocyanidin extract （GSPE）prevented selenite-induced cataract formation and the possible mechanism in rat pups.Method: Eighty eight-day-old Sprague-Dawley rat pups were divided randomly into5groups: control group, model group, low dose, medium dose and high dose of GSPE group.Control group received physiological saline subcutaneous injection. Model group receivedsubcutaneous injection of sodium selenite （20μmol/kg body weight） on postpartum day10,and once every other day for continual three times thereafter. GSPE treated groupsrespectivly received GSPE （50,100,200mg/kg body weight） intragastric administration2days prior to the selenite injection （that is, on postpartum day8）, and once daily forfourteen consecutive days thereafter. The lenses were analyzed for superoxide dismutase（SOD）, catalase （CAT）, glutathione peroxidase （GSH-PX）, malondialdehyde （MDA）,calcium (Ca²⁺), nitric oxide （NO）and anti-hydroxyl radical ability （OH-）. The levels ofcalpainâ…¡, iNOS protein and mRNA expression in lenses were analyzed byimmunohistochemical as well as real-time quantitative RT-PCR method.Result: we observed selenite treatment caused a significant decrease in the activitiesof antioxidative enzymes （SOD, CAT, GSH-PX）and anti-OH-ability, accompanied by asignificant increase in the levels of MDA, NO, Ca²⁺as well as iNOS, calpainâ…¡protein andmRNA expression. Administration of GSPE could dose-dependent preserve the activities ofthese antioxidative enzymes and anti-OH-ability, accompanied by a significant reduce inthe levels of MDA, NO, Ca²⁺as well as iNOS, calpainâ…¡protein and mRNA expression（P<0.05or P<0.01or P<0.001）.Conclusion: The results suggested that GSPE markedly prevented selenite-induced cataract formation, and the possible mechanism may be attributed to its excellentantioxidant activity. Treatment with GSPE could dose-dependent preserve the activities ofthese antioxidative enzymes and reduce the generation of MDA, and inhibite on calpainâ…¡,iNOS activation.