Abstract

Dele-Osibanjo Taiwo A

Twenty (20) albino rats of the wistar strain were self-bred and divided into two groups, each containing ten (10) rats and acclimatized for two (2) weeks in separate wooden, but well ventilated cages, labeled test and control. The test group was placed on a diet composed of 30% D-galactose and corn starch as the carbohydrate source, while the control group was placed on the same diet composition but with corn starch only, serving as the carbohydrate source. Both groups were fed ad libitum with food and water, and observed closely for a period of four (4) weeks. Weight and weight changes of the rats were measured on a daily basis. At the end of four (4) weeks, about 80% of the rats in the test group had developed cataract (as evidenced by the appearance of white patches in the lenses of the rats), while there was no sign of cataract in the lenses of the rats in the control group. For all the organs analyzed, the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the test rats was found to be much reduced, when compared with that of the rats in the control group. The result of this study thus indicates that with continued administration of excess amount of dietary D-galactose, the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the body organs will be significantly depleted.