Investigations on the influence of whole body X-irradiation on the activity of rat lens aldose reductase (E.C. 1.1.1.21).

The influence of whole body X-irradiation on the activity of the enzyme aldose reductase (E.C. 1.1.1.21) in the lenses of young rats was investigated. Immediately after irradiation there was no difference between the activity of the enzyme in irradiated and nonirradiated animals. Within 10 days after irradiation, significant differences developed. There was a constant increase of the activity in the control lenses, while the activity in the irradiated lenses remained nearly constant. There was no remarkable difference between the two groups 10 days after irradiation with respect to the kinetics of the enzyme. This meant that irradiation does not affect the enzyme present at the moment of application, but the influence of 440 rad X-irradiation effects an obvious decrease in the synthesis of the enzyme.