Effect of ascorbic acid 2-O-alpha-glucoside on hydrocortisone-induced cataract formation in developing chick embryos: II. Influence on glutathione and lipid peroxide contents in the lens.

In developing chick embryos, hydrocortisone induces cataract formation following a decrease in lens glutathione content but an increase in lipid peroxide content in lens, blood and liver. The preventive effects of ascorbic acid 2-O-alpha-glucoside (AA-2G) on these parameters were compared on cataract formation with those of ascorbic acid (AsA) and ascorbic acid 2-O-phosphate (AA-2P). In these tissues, AA-2G inhibited a decrease in glutathione content and an increase in lipid peroxide content more effectively than either AsA or AA-2P. Various tissues including lens and liver have alpha-glucosidase activity, strongly suggesting that AsA is enzymatically liberated from AA-2G in these tissues. In summary, these results suggest that AA-2G exerts a potent anti-cataract activity via a reduction in oxidative damage through AsA release.