A Study of the Effect of Isolated Folic Acid Deficiency on Lens in Adolescent Rats

Abstract

Background and Objectives: India accounts for 20% of the world's blind population and 90% of the reversible blind people are from developing nations. Micronutrients like folic acid have been linked to cataract and 33% of the Indian population suffers from folate deficiency. This study was done to find evidence of cataractogenesis in the younger age group of folate-deficient people. Methods: After taking animal ethical clearance, 12 Wistar albino rats weighing 120–150 grams and corresponding to 18–20 years of human age, were fed folate-deficient diet for 45 days and sacrificed on the 46th day. The enucleated eyeballs were subjected to histopathological examination, under light microscopy, for any lens abnormality. Results: The study stated that the lens capsule epithelium and the arrangement and regularity of the lens fibers were normal. There was no evidence of thickening, degeneration, swelling or disruption of the lens fibers. Conclusion: It was inferred that the lens cells could store folic acid as intracellular folylpolyglutamate or bound to internalized receptor proteins. Folic acid is essential in the synthesis of an important antioxidant Glutathione from glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. Glutathione in turn protects the cells from oxidative damage incurred during normal metabolic and optical activities in the eye lens.