Anna Matysik-Woźniak

The effect of ursolic and oleanolic acids on human skin fibroblast cells

In this article, we look at how ursolic and oleanolic acids can be used for the purpose of quality control of natural products used in dermatocosmetology as well as of various other therapeutic preparations. Ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) are pentacyclic triterpenes and they are constituents of many medicinal herbs. In this study, we analyzed the cytotoxic and anti-proliferative activity of OA and UA against normal human skin fibroblasts (HSF). Additionally, the scavenging activity of free radicals of both acids was analyzed. The sensitivity of cells to OA and UA activity was determined using a standard spectrophotometric (MTT) assay. The free radical scavenging activity of OA and UA was measured using the DPPH• test. The F-actin cytoskeletal proteins organization was analyzed using TRITC-phalloidine fluorescent staining. The cytotoxic activity of the analyzed acids was determined using Neutral Red (NR) uptake assay. Of the two isomeric compounds, UA showed a higher cytotoxic activity against HSF cells than did OA. Our investigations showed that OA, in view of its non-toxic nature, may be used as a supplementary factor for dermal preparations.

Lipemia retinalis – an unusual cause of visual acuity deterioration

Summary Background Hyperlipidemia is an identified factor of premature vessel atherosclerosis. Lipemia retinalis is an unusual retinal manifestation of hyperlipidemia and is thought to be directly correlated with the serum triglyceride level. Case Report This paper discusses the case of a 55-year-old patient with lipemia retinalis, which deteriorated his visual acuity. The patient had an extremely high serum cholesterol level (1053 mg/dl) and a very high level of triglycerides (1513 mg/dl). The normalization of serum lipids, reversion of retinal vessels alterations and visual acuity improvement was achieved after an intensive statin lipid-lowering therapy. Pathological changes of the patient’s retina, connected with lipemia retinalis, disappeared completely. Conclusions Hyperlipidemia can cause lipemia retinalis, which is characterized by the hyperlipidemic vascular lesions-whitish color of vessels, lipid infiltration into the retina and decrease of visual acuity. The lipid-lowering therapy may lead to the normalization of the appearance of the fundus and restore the visual acuity.

Effects of tryptophan, kynurenine and kynurenic acid exerted on human reconstructed corneal epithelium in vitro

BACKGROUND Tryptophan metabolites formed along kynurenine pathway may affect cell proliferation and tissue function. This pathway presents potential sites for drug discovery. Tryptophan and its metabolites kynurenine and kynurenic acid may be involved in the physiology and pathology of the ocular surface. The purpose of this work is to investigate the effect exerted by tryptophan, kynurenine and kynurenic acid upon corneal epithelium. METHODS A SkinEthic™ HCE human reconstructed corneal epithelium model was used. WST-1 test was used to examine cell proliferation and viability, and the Griess reaction for nitric oxide determination. The levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were measured by means of ELISA assay. All analyses were carried out after the cells were exposed to tryptophan, kynurenine and kynurenic acid at concentrations of 5, 50 or 100μM for 0-24h and 24-48h. RESULTS Tryptophan (100μM), kynurenine (100μM) and kynurenic acid (5-100μM) slightly increased the viability and proliferation of corneal epithelium. All of the tested compounds decreased cellular NO release. Kynurenine (50-100μM) and tryptophan (50-100μM) decreased while tryptophan (5μM) and kynurenic acid (100μM) increased the release of IL-6. All of the tested substances increased the level of IL-10 and decreased the IL-6 to IL-10 ratio. CONCLUSIONS Tryptophan, kynurenine and kynurenic acid affect physiological processes in corneal epithelium and therefore may play a significant role in the physiology and pathology of the ocular surface. Our results indicate that the use of these compounds may be considered in the treatment of ocular surface diseases.

The impact of oleanolic and ursolic acid on corneal epithelial cells in vitro

INTRODUCTION. Oleanolic (OA) and ursolic (UA) acids belong to the triterpene group widely present in plants. These compounds are recognised to have anti-inflammatory properties and thus are considered to be used in therapies as well as in cosmetic, natural health, or diet products. AIM. The scientific hypothesis of our study was to show that OA and UA influence corneal epithelial cells cultured in vitro . METHODS. Toxicity tests, based on MTT and Neutral Red (NR) uptake, measurement of nitric oxide (NOx) level, as well as analysis of metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) amount and activity were performed. RESULTS . UA expressed significantly higher toxicity on cells than OA. At the lowest concentration applied (5 μM), UA limited cellular metabolism and viability on average by 22% as compared to untreated control, while 25 μM resulted in values lower than 10%. On the other hand, OA at the highest (100 μM) concentration limited cellular metabolism and viability by about 20%. NOx level significantly increased when OA and UA were applied at concentrations of 25 and 100 μM, respectively. OA and UA had a stronger impact on the level of MMP-2 than MMP-9. OA and UA reduced MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the whole range of concentrations. Tested triterpenoids had no significant impact on MMP activity. CONCLUSIONS. OA and UA have a different impact on human corneal epithelial cells. UA is toxic for corneal epithelial cells, while OA exhibits milder activity, which may be useful for further analysis in ocular pharmacology.

Wyniki leczenia chorych z wysiękową postacią zwyrodnienia plamki związanego z wiekiem przy użyciu preparatów anty-VEGF stosowanych według kryteriów programu lekowego — wyniki własne

Zwyrodnienie plamki związane z wiekiem (AMD) to najczestsza przyczyna znacznego pogorszenia widzenia u osob po 50. roku zycia w krajach rozwinietych. Inhibitory VEGF zrewolucjonizowaly leczenie tej choroby i istnieje szansa, ze terapia z ich wykorzystaniem pozwoli na znaczne ograniczenie liczby pacjentow z funkcjonalną ślepotą. „Program lekowy leczenia neowaskularnej (wysiekowej) postaci zwyrodnienia plamki związanego z wiekiem”, ktory rozpocząl sie w Polsce w IV kwartale 2015 roku, umozliwia prowadzenie leczenia odpowiadającego aktualnym miedzynarodowym standardom. W niniejszym artykule na podstawie serii przypadkow przedstawiono doświadczenia Kliniki Okulistyki Ogolnej w Lublinie związane z leczeniem pacjentow chorych na postac wysiekową AMD w programie lekowym po pierwszym polroczu jego trwania.

Paracrine Interactions between the Conjunctival and Corneal Epithelial Cells Regulate Microenvironmental Homeostasis during Artificially Induced Inflammation

ABSTRACT Purpose/Aim of the study: The corneal and conjunctival epithelium interact with each other and reciprocally modulate the levels of soluble mediators to maintain balance in the ocular surface. The aim of the present study was to analyze paracrine interactions between the corneal and conjunctival epithelium in an inflamed microenvironment (LPS or PMA induction) to test the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide released by the epithelia. Materials and Methods: The corneal (pRSV-T) and conjunctival (HC0597) epithelial cell cultures and their indirect co-cultures were treated for 2 h with LPS (E. coli) or for 30 min with phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) to induce inflammation. Cytokine expression (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10) and the level of apoptosis were analyzed by ELISA, and the nitric oxide (NO) level by Griess reaction. Cells were incubated for 24 h. Results: The apoptosis of the corneal and conjunctival epithelia decreased (by 43% and 53%, respectively) in co-cultures compared to corresponding monocultures. The conjunctival epithelium produced lower amounts (23%) of NO than the corneal epithelium. PMA and LPS had comparable effects on the levels of NO in mono- and co-cultures. The levels of the tested cytokines changed depending on the type of cell culture and culture conditions (mono- vs. co-cultures and inflammation). The most striking changes were observed for IL-6 expression. Conclusions: Paracrine interactions between the corneal and conjunctival epithelia may regulate microenvironmental homeostasis during artificially induced inflammation among others by balancing the levels of NO, cytokines, and the viability of cells.

Współczesne możliwości leczenia cukrzycowego obrzęku plamki — wyniki własne

Liczba chorych na cukrzyce rośnie z kazdym rokiem. Duza ich cześc to osoby mlode, aktywne zawodowo. Powiklania oczne cukrzycy, w tym cukrzycowy obrzek plamki (DME), istotnie wplywają na codziennie funkcjonowanie pacjentow. Dzieki nowoczesnym lekom, laseroterapii i metodom operacyjnym mozliwe jest skuteczne leczenie powiklan ocznych cukrzycy. Jest to jednak proces zlozony, wymagający doświadczonego zespolu specjalistow umiejących odpowiednio lączyc rozne metody terapeutyczne. Celem pracy jest przedstawienie wynikow wlasnych leczenia mlodych pacjentow z DME za pomocą monoterapii anty-VEGF lub w skojarzeniu z innymi metodami terapeutycznymi.

A case of macular hole formation by high-power laser pointer

Laser pointers are omnipresent. They are used in many spheres of life, e.g. education, medicine, industry, entertainment, and military. The number of reports of eye injury caused by laser pointers when used improperly is growing. We report a case of a 23-year-old man who had a full-thickness macular hole in the left eye after using an inappropriately high powered laser pointer. The patient was treated successfully with 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy. This case underlines the importance of careful and correct use of laser pointers because of the vision-threatening dangers induced by mishandling these gadgets.