Nicotine Exposure Exacerbates Development of Cataracts in a Type 1 Diabetic Rat Model

Abstract EN

Diabetes and smoking are known risk factors for cataract development.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of nicotine on the progression of cataracts in a type 1 diabetic rat model.

Diabetes was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by a single injection of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin.

Daily nicotine injections were administered subcutaneously.

Forty-five rats were divided into groups of diabetics with and without nicotine treatment and controls with and without nicotine treatment.

Progression of lens opacity was monitored using a slit lamp biomicroscope and scores were assigned.

To assess whether systemic inflammation played a role in mediating cataractogenesis, we studied serum levels of eotaxin, IL-6, and IL-4.

The levels of the measured cytokines increased significantly in nicotine-treated and untreated diabetic animals versus controls and demonstrated a positive trend in the nicotine-treated diabetic rats.

Our data suggest the presence of a synergistic relationship between nicotine and diabetes that accelerated cataract formation via inflammatory mediators.