Cheng H M, Xiong H, Xiong J, Tsubota K
Howe Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston 02114.
Exp Eye Res. 1990 Oct;51(4):345-9. doi: 10.1016/0014-4835(90)90147-m.
Experimental diabetic and galactosemic animal models are widely used to study diabetes-induced complications. Galactose feeding can rapidly produce cataract, retinopathy and nephropathy; it is therefore favored over the diabetic model. Although the common feature for both models is the activation of aldose reductase, there are substantial differences between the two--not only does the rate of cataract progression differ but the metabolic patterns are far more complex than for polyol production alone. We here present the result of a comparison between diabetic and galactosemic lenses and show the differences in phosphorus and aldose metabolism, cell integrity and osmotic environment.
