Inhibition of phase separation by reagents that prevent X-irradiation cataract in vivo.

Galactose, and the phosphorothioates, WR-77913 and WR-2721, which inhibit cataract produced by X-irradiation, were evaluated for their effects on the phase separation temperature, Tc, of calf lens homogenate. The reagents were added to nuclear homogenate and the change in Tc per mol, dTc/dC, was measured. Galactose decreased Tc, -65 degrees C mol-1, WR-77913 decreased Tc, -28 degrees C mol-1 and WR-2721 decreased Tc, -76 degrees C mol-1. These are the first phase separation inhibitors that can be used in vivo to study the inhibition of lens opacification.