AIM:To investigate the protective effect of ZnSO4 on ultraviolet-induced oxidative damage of rat lens.METHODS:Rat lens were randomly divided into 3 groups:negative control group (normal group),positive control group (UV radiation group) and experimental group (treated by UV radiation and ZnSO4).After cultured,the turbid level of lens was observed;the contents of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in tissue as well as the expression changes of heat shock protein 70(HSP70) in rat lens epithelial cells were determined.RESULTS:The turbid level of lens in experimental group was lower than that in positive control group at the same time,the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).The expression of HSP70 in experimental group significantly increased after UV radiation,there was significant difference compared with that in positive control group (P<0.05).The contents of GSH-Px and SOD in positive control group were much lower than that in negative control group,the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05),while the contents of GSH-Px and SOD in experimental group were significantly higher than that in positive control group,the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:ZnSO4 can induce HSP70 expression in rat lens epithelial cells,which may play a vital role in lens oxidative damage protection.