Hazelnut prevented doxorubicin-induced cataract in low doses. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Doxorubicin-induced cataract formation in rats and the inhibitory effects of hazelnut, a natural antioxidant: a histopathological study.
Med Sci Monit. 2005 Aug;11(8):BR300-4. Epub 2005 Jul 25. PMID: 16049376
Department of Ophthalmology, Gülhane Military Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. [email protected]
BACKGROUND: To investigate whether hazelnut prevents doxorubicin-induced experimental cataract in rats. MATERIAL/METHODS: Seventy-five 4-week-old male Wistar albino rats were randomized into 5 equal groups. Beginning from 6 weeks of age, the groups were treated with intraperitoneal injections of saline solution or doxorubicin (DR) for 4 weeks. Group 1 received saline solution (0.5 ml/200 g) weekly, groups 2 and 4 a cumulative dose of 6 mg/kg (1.5 mg/kg/week) of DR, and groups 3 and 5 received a cumulative dose of 12 mg/kg (3 mg/kg/week) DR. All the rats were fed ad libitum with a 24% protein rodent chow. Groups 4 and 5 were additionally fed 5 g/day hazelnut. At the end of the tenth week the rats were sacrificed and cataract development was investigated histopathologically. The groups were statistically compared. RESULTS: All control lenses (group 1) were macroscopically clear. Cataractous changes were noted in 7 eyes (47%) in group 2 and in 10 (67%) in group 3 (p=0.01). Groups 3 and 5 had cataractous changes in 4 (27%) and 5 (33%) eyes, respectively (p=0.001). The cataract development ratio was different between groups 2 and 4 (p=0.013), while there was no such difference between groups 3 and 5 (p=0.053). Histopathological findings suggesting cataractogenesis were eosinophilic degeneration, cortical lens-fiber cell swelling, and the retention of nuclei in central fibers. CONCLUSIONS: Hazelnut prevented doxorubicin-induced cataract in low doses. Since it has no known harmful effect on healthy cells, it may be beneficial in humans.