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Role of the renin–angiotensin system in the development of cataract formation in angiotensin‐II‐induced experimental rats
Author(s) -
Choudhary Rajesh,
Shree Jaya,
Singh Amrita,
Bodakhe Surendra H.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.526
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1099-0461
pISSN - 1095-6670
DOI - 10.1002/jbt.22789
Subject(s) - olmesartan , oxidative stress , angiotensin ii , renin–angiotensin system , lipid peroxidation , medicine , endocrinology , chemistry , pharmacology , blood pressure
Previously, we established several facts regarding hypertension‐associated cataractogenesis. As a follow‐on study, we evaluated the role of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in angiotensin‐II (Ang‐II)‐induced cataract formation in experimental hypertensive rats. Sprague–Dawley male albino rats (150–180 g) were used for the present experiment. The animals were divided into four groups, with six animals in each group. During the 12 weeks of the experimental protocol, the normal group received sterile water (1 ml/kg/day, subcutaneously (sc), and the Ang‐II control group received angiotensin (1 mg/kg/day) subcutaneously. The ARB (O) group received olmesartan (2 mg/kg/day) orally, and the ARB (T) group received two drops of olmesartan (5 mM) topically on the cornea; concurrently, both groups were treated with Ang‐II (1 mg/kg/day, sc) to induce hypertension. Biweekly, the systolic and the diastolic blood pressures were recorded, and the eyes were examined; moreover, cataractogenic parameters, such as oxidative stress markers and protein contents in the lenses, were evaluated after completion of the experimental protocol. Twelve weeks of olmesartan administered, orally or topically, significantly reduced the progression of cataract formation and restored antioxidants, lipid peroxidation, nitrite content, and protein contents in the lenses of the mice in groups O and T, respectively, as compared with those in the Ang‐II control group. On the basis of our results, we conclude that the ocular RAS exacerbates the lenticular oxidative stress that may lead to cataract formation. The results showed that the RAS has an independent and important role in cataract formation under hypertensive conditions.