Doxorubicin-induced cataract formation in rats and the inhibitory effects of hazelnut, a natural antioxidant: A histopathological study

To investigate whether hazelnut prevents doxorubicin-induced experimental cataract in rats. Seventy-five 4-week-old male Wistar albino rats were randomized into 5 equal groups. Beginning from 6 weeks of age, the groups were treated with intraperitoneal injections of saline solution or doxorubicin (DR) for 4 weeks. Group I received saline solution (0.5 ml/200 g) weekly, groups 2 and 4 a cumulative dose of 6 mg/kg (1.5 mg/kg/week) of DR, and groups 3 and 5 received a cumulative dose of 12 mg/kg (3 mg/kg/week) DR. All the rats were fed ad libitum with a 24 % protein rodent chow. Groups 4 and 5 were additionally fed 5 g/day hazelnut. At the end of the tenth week the rats were sacrificed and cataract development was investigated histopathologically. The groups were statistically compared. All control lenses (group 1) were macroscopically clear. Cataractous changes were noted in 7 eyes (47 %) in group 2 and in 10 (67 %) in group 3 (p=0.01). Groups 3 and 5 had cataractous changes in 4 (27 %) and 5 (33 %) eyes, respectively (p=0.001). The cataract development ratio was different between groups 2 and 4 (p=0.013), while there was no such difference between groups 3 and 5 (p=0.053). Histopathological findings suggesting cataractogenesis were eosinophilic degeneration, cortical lens-fiber cell swelling, and the retention of nuclei in central fibers. Hazelnut prevented doxorubicin-induced cataract in low doses. Since it has no known harmful effect on healthy cells, it may be beneficial in humans.