Photoinduced effect of riboflavin in ocular tissues

Abstract

Albino rabbits fed with oral dose (2 mg/Kg body weight/day) of riboflavin (RF) followed by sunlight exposure (60 min.) after 30 min. of feeding showed significant enhancement of H₂O₂, MDA and Ca⁺⁺ level in serum, aqueous humor and lens. No such increase was found in the control irradiated or RF fed unirradiated animals. These changes in biological parameters have direct relevance to ocular phototoxicity leading to the development of cataract. The results indicate that sunlight exposure to eyes at an increased level of RF may cause deleterious effects to ocular tissues.

Key words:

• Riboflavin
• Cataract
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Malonaldehyde
• Calcium.

Notes

Corresponding author