Changes in lens during the formation of X-ray cataract in rabbits

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Abstract
Decrease of reduced glutathione occurred in the lens after X-radiation before any clinical change could be detected. Loss of reduced glutathione increased as the opacity progressed. Protein SH-groups decreased at a later stage of cataract formation than reduced glutathione and to a smaller extent. Decrease of reduced glutathione in lens was accompanied by a decrease of glutathione-reductase activity. The activity of 4 other enzymes was unaffected even in completely opaque lenses. There was a slight fall of ascorbic acid in the aqueous humour after irradiation, but it was not correlated with the formation of opacity in the lens. There was no decrease of ascorbic acid in the lens or vitreous body.