AIM: To investigate the effect of age on the expression of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and acute reversible lens opacification induced by chloral hydrate in mice.

METHODS: Acute reversible lens opacification was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 4% chloral hydrate(400mg/kg)in 3-month-old(young group)and 24-month-old(old group)C57BL/6 mice. The lens opacification was graded at 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 and 150min after chloral hydrate injection. The histopathological changes of lens were observed by hematoxylin eosin staining, and the expression of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase in lens was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: The development of lens opacity is similar in young and old mice after chloral hydrate injection. The lens opacification in the young group appeared earlier, thicker and lasted longer than the old group. HE staining showed that many vesicles appeared in the cortex below lens epithelial cells(LECs), and the structure of superficial lens fiber cells were disordered after chloral hydrate injection. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase was positive in LECs and fibers. The expression of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase in LECs were weak before chloral hydrate injection and up-regulated 45min after chloral hydrate injection in young and old groups. The up-regulation of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase was stronger in the old group than in the young group.

CONCLUSION: Age may play a role in the acute reversible lens opacification induced by chloral hydrate in mice. The expression of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase is involved in lens opacity induced by chloral hydrate.