Effects of magnesium content in the feed on cataract development in Shumiya cataract rat.

Cataract is a phenomenon in which the eye becomes opaque resulting in severe visual impairment, and senile cataract is the most common cause of blindness in the world. We investigated the effect of magnesium (Mg) supplementation on cataract development using shumiya cataract rat (SCR). The SCR were fed on either a low Mg (Mg 50 mg/kg), standard Mg (Mg 500 mg/kg), or high Mg (Mg 5000 mg/kg) diet from aged 5 to 15 weeks. The growth curve of SCRs fed on a low Mg diet was the same as that of SCRs fed on a standard diet. The growth curve of SCRs fed on a high Mg diet was significantly suppressed in comparison with those fed on a standard diet. The opacification of lenses from SCR fed on a standard Mg diet started at 11 weeks of age. The opacification of lenses from SCR fed on a high Mg diet was similar to that from SCR fed on a standard Mg diet. On the other hand, the low Mg diet accelerated the onset of cataract development, and the opacity started at 10 weeks of age. In addition, the calcium ion (Ca2+) content in SCR lenses fed on a low Mg diet significantly increased in comparison with that in lenses from SCR fed on a standard Mg diet. These results suggest that Mg deficiency causes acceleration of cataract development in SCR, probably due to a rise in the Ca2+ content in the lens.