SODIUM-POTASSIUM-DEPENDENT ATPASE .2. CYTOCHEMICAL-LOCALIZATION DURING THE REVERSAL OF GALACTOSE CATARACTS IN RAT

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 19  (4) , 378-385
Abstract
The importance of enzyme Na-K-ATPase in the development of galactose-induced cataractogenesis is realized. A decreased level of activity of this enzyme with an increased duration of galactose feeding and the induced alterations in rat ocular lens was previously reported. The level of Na-K-ATPase activity was determined by ultrastructural cytochemical analysis of lenses and spectrophotometric analysis of the incubating media used for cytochemical localization as described by Ernst. 8, 9 With these methods the activity level of this enzyme during the reversal phase of the galactose-induced injury to the lens was determined. The activity of Na-K-ATPase recovered rapidly and attained the normal level when the animals were transferred to Rat Chow diet after the establishment of mature cataracts from galactose feeding. Partial reversal of galactose-induced cataractous lens apparently occurs upon discontinuation of feeding of cataractogenic agent galactose.