ay Öz

Serum oxidant/antioxidant balance in exfoliation syndrome

Background: To evaluate the relationship between the serum oxidant–antioxidant balance and the presence of exfoliation syndrome (XFS) in a prospective study.

Glutathione S-transferase M1, T1, and P1 gene polymorphism in exudative age-related macular degeneration: a preliminary report.

Purpose To elucidate whether the gene polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1, T1, and PI are associated with the development of exudative age-related macular degeneration. Methods The authors genotyped 35 white patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration and 159 healthy controls. Genomic DNA from peripheral blood was examined using polymerase chain reaction and defined for the genetic polymorphisms of GST. Results No association was observed between GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms and age-related macular degeneration risk (p>0.05). The frequencies of the combination of the GSTM1 (null) and GSTP1 (mutant), GSTM1 (null), and GSTT1 (null) genotype polymorphisms in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration differed greatly from those of the control group (p=0.001 OR [95% CI]: 7.70 [2.28–25.98] and p=0.007 OR [95% CI]: 3.88 [1.51–10.02], respectively). Conclusions The present study suggests that the GSTM1 (null) and GSTT1 (null), GSTM1 (null), and GSTP1 (mutant) combinations may be a genetic risk factor for the development of exudative age-related macular degeneration. However, the potential role of GST polymorphisms as a marker of susceptibility to age-related macular degeneration needs further studies in a larger number of patients.

May glutathione S-transferase M1 positive genotype afford protection against primary open-angle glaucoma?

PurposeTo find out whether the polymorphism at GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 loci is associated with increased susceptibility to glaucoma.MethodsWe genotyped 153 primary open angle patients and 159 healthy controls. Genomic DNA from peripheral blood was examined using polymerase chain reaction and defined for the genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase.ResultsThe frequency of the GSTM1 null genotype individuals among the glaucoma patients was significanlty higher than in controls (54.9 vs 40.9%) with odds ratio of 1.64 (95% CI: 1.10–2.59). The frequency of the GSTT1 and GSTP1 in both groups were not statistically different.ConclusionThe present study suggests that the GSTM1 null genotype may be a genetic risk factor for development of primary open angle glaucoma. Further associations studies in other polymorphic genes for xenobiotic–metabolizing enzymes are needed to elucidate the environmental-genetic interaction in the underlying cause of primary open angle glaucoma.

The Efficacy of Intravitreal Levofloxacin and Intravitreal Dexamethasone in Experimental Staphylococcus epidermidis Endophthalmitis

This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of intravitreal levofloxacin, and intravitreal levofloxacin and dexamethasone combined in Staphylococcus epidermidis endophthalmitis. Albino rabbits (n = 25), infected with an intravitreal inoculum of S. epidermidis (1.0 × 105 colony forming units/0.1 ml), were divided into five groups (n = 5). Groups 1 and 2 received treatment 24 h after the inoculation, and groups 3 and 4 48 h after the inoculation. No treatment was given to the control group. Treatment efficacy was assessed by vitreous culture, clinical examination and histopathology. Five days after treatment, groups 1 and 2 had significantly lower clinical scores than the control group (p = 0.004, p = 0.007). The culture results of the treatment groups were sterile. The histopathological scores of the treatment groups were lower than the control group (p = 0.007). Studies on retinal toxicity and dose-response relation are needed to prove the efficacy of levofloxacin in S. epidermidis endophthalmitis.

N-Acetyltransferase 2 Phenotype May Be Associated with Susceptibility to Age-Related Cataract

Free radicals and oxidative damage play roles in aging and age-related ocular diseases such as cataracts, so defensive mechanisms become important factors for protection. Because N-acetylation is involved in a wide variety of detoxification processes, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between the acetylator phenotypes and genotypes in a group of patients with age-related cataract. Sixty-one cases of age-related cataract and 104 controls were included in this study. Blood was collected in EDTA-containing tubes, and genomic DNA was extracted from the white blood cells by high pure PCR template preparation kit. Genotyping of NAT2 polymorphisms were detected by using a LightCycler-NAT2 mutation detection kit in real-time PCR. There was a significant difference in the distribution of the NAT2*6A acetylator phenotype between cases and the controls. The odds ratio of cataract for the NAT2*6A slow phenotype was 3.8 (95% CI = 1.08 to 13.11, p = 0.032) compared with the fast type. Our results suggest that slow acetylators are at higher risk of developing age-related cataracts than fast acetylators. As NAT2 is an important xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme and theoretically xenobiotics such as ultraviolet B radiation, smoking, and alcohol use may induce cataract formation, NAT2 gene polymorphisms may be associated with genetic susceptibility of cataract.

Uveitis associated with granuloma annulare.

Purpose To report a case of uveitis associated with granuloma annulare (GA). GA is a benign, usually self-limited dermatosis of unknown origin, causing necrobiotic dermal and subcutaneous papules. So far, ocular involvement has not been reported in GA. Methods We describe a case of uveitis with GA. Ocular examination findings were consistent with uveitis. Histopathologic studies on lower extremity lesions revealed features consistent with GA. Results The patient was successfully treated with systemic and topical corticosteroids. After two months, however, the skin and eye lesions relapsed. When the same treatment was restarted, her lesions regressed within four weeks. Conclusions This case provides an example of concomitant uveitis and GA. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this combination.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in primary and recurrent pterygium

Purpose Pterygium is a proliferative, inflammatory, and invasive ocular surface disease associated with excessive ultraviolet radiation exposure and has several tumor-like characteristics. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an inducible enzyme and recently increased expression of the enzyme was found in many cancers and premalign lesions. This study was conducted to identify the COX-2 expression in pterygium tissues. Methods Immunohistochemical staining using a primary antibody for COX-2 was performed on 30 specimens with primary pterygium (20 pterygium without recurrence and 10 pterygium which recurred during a 12-month follow-up), 11 specimens with recurrent pterygium, and 8 specimens of conjunctival tumor. As a control we used 10 specimens of normal conjunctiva. Extent and intensity of cytoplasmic and membranous staining in epithelial cells were evaluated. Results Higher expression of COX-2 was detected in conjunctival tumor (87.5%) specimens and recurrent pterygium specimens (72.7%) compared to the both normal conjunctiva (30%) and primary pterygium without recurrence (30%). COX-2 expression in primary pterygium tissues with recurrence (60%) was not different from primary pterygium without recurrence (p=0.114) and recurrent pterygium (p=0.537). However, recurrent pterygium tissues were found to express higher COX-2 than primary pterygium without recurrence (p=0.022). Conclusions COX-2 expression is increased in recurrent pterygium tissues and COX-2 expression may be a marker for the prediction of recurrence.

Persistent pupillary membranes in 3 siblings

We report 3 siblings from a nonconsanguineous white family with bilateral persistent pupillary membranes with dissimilar forms of severity. Two of the patients required no treatment; 1 was treated surgically for occlusion of the pupillary axis and moderate visual acuity decrease. Anterior segment examination was otherwise normal in the siblings. Although persistent pupillary membranes are usually sporadic, cases in which they are associated with other anterior chamber abnormalities might be inherited autosomal dominant. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a familial isolated persistent papillary membrane case with no other anterior chamber abnormality.

Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide Treatment for Serpiginous Choroiditis

Purpose: To report the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection for acute treatment of a patient with serpiginous choroiditis. Methods: A 50-year-old male patient with serpiginous choroiditis presenting with the complaint of decreased visual acuity in his right eye for the last 10 days. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the patient was counting finger from 1 meter. Fundus examination and fundus fluorescein angiography of right eye revealed active macular choroiditis in right eye. Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (4 mg/0.1 ml) was injected into vitreous, and the patient was followed with visual acuity testing, intraocular pressure measurement, and fundus examination, including fundus fluorescein angiography. Results: Visual acuity of the patient improved to 20/100 after 2 weeks in spite of the triamcinolone crystals, and to 20/50 after 4 weeks with a single dose intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection. Complete resolution of the active lesion has been maintained during the 6 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Single dose intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection is sufficient for controlling the active lesions in serpiginous choroiditis. It needs further evaluation as an alternative treatment for achieving rapid and significant visual acuity recovery.

Effects of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester on Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis in Rats

Purpose: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and carcinostatic properties. In this study, the efficacy of CAPE in endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rats is investigated. Methods: EIU was induced by a footpad injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In the treatment group, 10 μ mol/kg CAPE was injected intraperitoneally immediately after LPS injection. At 24 hr after LPS injection, the number of infiltrating cells, protein concentration, and levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in aqueous humor; malondialdehyde (MDA), MPO, and total antioxidant levels in serum were determined. Eyes were enucleated for histopathologic evaluation, and, counting inflammatory cells in iris-ciliary body (ICB), the efficacy of treatment was determined. Results: CAPE significantly suppressed LPS-induced increase in the number of inflammatory cells (p = 0.0001), protein concentration (p = 0.0001), and MPO levels (p = 0.0001) in aqueous humor as well as MDA (p = 0.001) and MPO (p = 0.0001) levels in serum. Histopathologic evaluation of ICB showed significant reduction in the inflammatory cell counts in the treatment group (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: CAPE was found efficient in suppressing inflammation and ocular tissue damage induced by LPS in rats.