Document Classification

Section Type: RESULTS

Text: The mechanisms of prevention and reversal of cataracts with NAC ophthalmic drug are considered which include prevention by the intraocular released carnosine of free-radical-induced inactivation of proprietary lens antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase) ; prevention of carbohydrate and metal-catalyzed autooxidation of ascorbic acid-induced cross-linking glycation reactions to the lens proteins ; transglycation properties of carnosine, allowing it to compete for the glycating agent, protecting proteins (lens crystallins) against modification ; universal antioxidant and scavenging activity towards lipid hydroperoxides, aldehydes and oxygen radicals ; activation with l-carnosine ingredient of proteasome activity in the lens ; chaperone-like disaggregating to lens crystallins activity of NAC and of its bioactivated principal carnosine.