Broccoli Regulates Protein Alterations and Cataractogenesis in Selenite Models

Purpose: To study the efficacy of Brassica oleracea var. italica (Broccoli) in the prevention of selenite induced biochemical changes and the incidence of cataractogenesis in vivo. Methods: Eight day old Sprague-Dawley rat pups were divided into four groups: I-Control; II-Sodium selenite (4 mg/kg body weight) administered; III-Sodium selenite + quercetin; and IV-Sodium selenite + flavonoid fraction of broccoli (FFB). Treatment groups III and IV received quercetin and FFB intraperitoneally from 8th to 15th day at a concentration (2.0 mg/kg body weight). The development of cataract was assessed and graded by slit-lamp examination. Some relevant biochemical parameters-such as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, Ca