Attenuation of cataract progression by A-3922, a dihydrobenzofuran derivative, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The present study was undertaken to assess whether A-3922, a dihydrobenzofuran derivative that possesses antioxidative effects, had any preventive effect on the onset and/or progression of diabetic cataract. Male Wistar rats were received a bolus intravenous injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) and were given 5% glucose in drinking water for 10 weeks. The diabetic rats were divided into two groups and treated with 30 mg/kg/d A-3922 or vehicle during the experimental period. The opacities of eye lenses were observed by using both our original device and a slit lamp microscope. The lens opacities were initially detected as early as the 2nd week and the cataracts were developed in similar fashion in both A-3922-treated and untreated diabetic rats until 7th week, suggesting that A-3922 did not show any appreciable effect on the onset of diabetic cataract. In the later period (8th week or later), however, progression of cataract was retarded and significant reductions in both the total cataract score and the degree of opacity were apparently observed on 10th week of A-3922-treated diabetic rats. These results suggest that A-3922 can delay the progression but not the onset of diabetic cataract, and it has a possibility to be a candidate for drugs of cataract associated with diabetes.