Abstract: Dynamic changes of free amino acids in lens and serum during the formation of selenite induced cataract were investigated.At 3,7 and 14 days post administration of selenite, the contents of most amino acids in cataractous lens were higher slightly, higher dramatically and lower significantly than that in control respectively, but the changes of taurine, aspartic acid and hydroxyproline were in the adverse way.These results indicate that changes of mem-brane permeability, proteolysis and disturbance of amino acid metabolism take place during the process of cataract formation induced by selenite.The results also demostrate that the damage of membrane perhaps is the trigger of other changes during cataract formation.

Key words: selenite, cataract, amino acid, taurine