Nicotine exposure exacerbates development of cataracts in a type 1 diabetic rat model

Nima Tirgan, Gabriela A. Kulp, Praveena Gupta, Adam Boretsky, Tomasz A. Wiraszka, Bernard Godley, Ronald G. Tilton, Massoud Motamedi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Diabetes and smoking are known risk factors for cataract development. In this study, we evaluated the effect of nicotine on the progression of cataracts in a type 1 diabetic rat model. Diabetes was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by a single injection of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin. Daily nicotine injections were administered subcutaneously. Forty-five rats were divided into groups of diabetics with and without nicotine treatment and controls with and without nicotine treatment. Progression of lens opacity was monitored using a slit lamp biomicroscope and scores were assigned. To assess whether systemic inflammation played a role in mediating cataractogenesis, we studied serum levels of eotaxin, IL-6, and IL-4. The levels of the measured cytokines increased significantly in nicotine-treated and untreated diabetic animals versus controls and demonstrated a positive trend in the nicotine-treated diabetic rats. Our data suggest the presence of a synergistic relationship between nicotine and diabetes that accelerated cataract formation via inflammatory mediators.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number349320
JournalExperimental Diabetes Research
Volume2012
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Music
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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