Caffeine and nifedipine effect on cataract induced by selenite in rats

Abstract EN

Background/aim Cataract is one of the major causes of visual impairment globally and the first cause of bilndness.

The present study analyzed the impact of caffeine and/or nifedipine in a model of cataract caused by selenite.

Materials and methods A total of 75 albino Wistar rats were alienated into five groups (15 each): group I served as control and group II was subcutaneously injected with 30 nmol/g body weight of sodium selenite.

Group III received an intraperitoneal injection of 5.15 μmol of caffeine; group IV received 0.1 mg/kg of nifedipine; and group V received the two treatments in the same dose after selenite injection.

Groups were decapitated after 5, 15, and 25 days of selenite injection.

Comet assay to lens epithelium, refractive index, and ultraviolet absorption spectra for lens proteins were studied.

Results The results indicated very high significant increase (P<0.001) in comet assay parameters and refractive index.

Also variation of ultraviolet spectra for all groups injected with selenite was observed.

Partial recovery was observed after treatment with caffeine or nifedipine but there were no significant differences in groups treated with a combination of caffeine and nifedipine.

Conclusion The study stated that to achieve attenuation or delay of lens cataract formation, a calcium channel blocker must be used in addition to antioxidants.