The Emory mouse cataract: the effects on cataractogenesis of alpha-tocopherol, penicillamine, triethylenetetramine, and mercaptopropionylglycine

• Published in: Journal of ocular pharmacology Vol. 4; no. 3; p. 243
• Main Authors: Kuck, Jr, J F, Kuck, K D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 1988
• Subjects: Animals; Cataract - diet therapy; Cataract - drug therapy; Ethylenediamines - therapeutic use; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Penicillamine - therapeutic use; Tiopronin - therapeutic use; Trientine - therapeutic use; Vitamin E - administration & dosage; Vitamin E - therapeutic use
• DOI: 10.1089/jop.1988.4.243
• ISSN: 8756-3320

The Emory mouse develops a late-onset hereditary cataract bearing some resemblances to human senile cataract. It was used as a model system for testing the effects of several drugs expected to have anticataractogenic potential. A low level of added dietary alpha-tocopherol had only a marginal effect. Penicillamine increased lens soluble protein, a good index of lens viability. Triethylenetetramine was too toxic to permit satisfactory treatment. Mercaptopropionylglycine produced several positive effects including a retardation of cataract at 6 months of age; parameters which increased under drug treatment were lens weight, soluble protein content and protein sulfhydryl, but not glutathione. There was no effect on the total calcium concentration.