Grx may reduce diabetic cataracts by boosting cell cleaning through a specific energy and recycling pathway in lens cells

AMPK activity was significantly decreased in the anterior lens capsule of diabetes cataract patients.

• Grx protein expression and activity increased compensatorily in response to decreased AMPK activity.
• Grx protected lens epithelial cells from oxidative stress injury and apoptosis when exposed to high glucose.
• Mitophagy was induced by Grx in lens epithelial cells, which is essential for cellular health.
• In vivo experiments showed that Grx alleviated diabetes cataract by reducing oxidative damage.
• The protective effects of Grx were reversed by the AMPK inhibitor Compound C, indicating a regulatory relationship.

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