wr-77913 and pantethine

Pantethine and the amino phosphorothioate, WR-77913, protected lenses against increased light scattering and opacification during cataract formation in five animal models: (1) radiation, (2) selenite, (3) galactose, (4) streptozotocin and (5) Royal College of Surgeons. In the radiation or selenite models, each test reagent was administered 15 to 30 min prior to initiation of cataract by a single injection of Na2SeO3 or a single exposure to 15 Gy (gray) gamma radiation. In the galactose, streptozotocin and Royal College of Surgeons models where the cataractogenic insult was continuous, repeated administrations of pantethine and WR-77913 were necessary. The results suggested that protein aggregation and lens opacification associated with a variety of physiological and biochemical mechanisms can be delayed or inhibited using a systemic administration of pantethine or WR-77913.

Topics: Amifostine; Animals; Cataract; Female; Galactose; Lens, Crystalline; Male; Pantetheine; Protein Denaturation; Radiation Injuries, Experimental; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sodium Selenite; Streptozocin