Summary
A Tryptophan-free diet induces posterior subcapsular cataracts and reversible corneal opacities in young Wistar rats. Compared to the controls there is a significant decrease of body weight, lens fresh weight, and water-soluble lens protein. Protein separation by isoelectric focusing shows diminished α-, β-, and γ-crystallin fractions. If tryptophan is restored to the diet after 24 days, new clear lens fibers are laid down again, indicating that the mechanism of protein synthesis has not been permanently damaged by tryptophan-deficiency.
Zusammenfassung
Eine tryptophanfreie Diät führte bei jungen Wistarratten zur Ausbildung von reversiblen Hornhauttrübungen und einer hinteren subkapsulären Katarakt. Im Vergleich zu den Kontrolltieren sind das Körpergewicht, das Linsenfrischgewicht und der Anteil an wasserlöslichen Linsenproteinen vermindert. Eine Trennung mit Isoelektrofokussierung zeigt eine Abnahme der α-, β- und γ-Kristalline. Da es nach Absetzen der Diät und Gabe von tryptophanhaltigem Futter wieder zur Entwicklung klarer Linsenfasern kommt, wird der Proteinsyntheseapparat vom Tryptophanmangel nicht bleibend geschädigt.
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A preliminary report of these results has been presented to the Association for eye research by Ohrloff et al. (1974)
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Ohrloff, C., Stoffel, C., Koch, H.R. et al. Experimental cataracts in rats due to tryptophan-free diet. Albrecht von Graefes Arch. Klin. Ophthalmol. 205, 73–79 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410102
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410102