Pyridine nucleotides in normal and cataractous human lenses.

The levels of NAD+, NADH, NADP+ and NADPH have been determined in each cortex and nucleus of about 80 normal and cataractous human lenses and in a small number of calf, rabbit and rat lenses. Cataractous lenses had lower levels of all nucleotides than the normal lenses but no progressive decreases were associated with the development of nuclear colour, or with cortical, diabetic, traumatic and steroid cataracts. It was concluded that a lack of reduced pyridine nucleotides was not responsible for a decrease in the ability of the lens to protect itself against oxidative damage.