Scharf J

Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in rat and human lenses and the fate of enzyme molecules in the aging lens☆

The specific activity of the enzyme glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase declines as a function of age. Immunotitration with monospecific antibodies demonstrated that with age there is an increase of catalytically defective, but antigenically reactive enzyme molecules in the lens. Antiserum, produced against denatured enzyme, removed the inactive molecules from lens homogenates, without effects on the levels of enzyme activity. These studies suggest that inactive enzyme molecules in aging lenses are totally devoid of catalytic activity, and are at least partially denatured.

Defective superoxide-dismutase molecules accumulate with age in human lenses

The specific activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in human transparent lenses declines as a function of age. Immunotitration using monospecific antibodies showed that, with increasing age, lenses exhibit an accumulation of catalytically inactive, but antigenically reactive, enzyme molecules. Antiserum produced against denatured enzyme removed the inactive molecules from the lens homogenates without affecting the enzyme activity. These aberrant molecules are at least partially denatured and are totally devoid of catalytic activity.

Superoxide Dismutase Molecules in Human Cataractous Lenses

Specific activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in cataractous lenses was examined. Immunoprecipitation with monospecific antibodies showed an accumulation of catalytically inactive, but antigenically reactive enzyme molecules in lenses with various types of cataracts. The inactive enzyme molecules can be demonstrated in all kinds of cataracts, including dense, mature cataracts with very low or nondetectable enzyme activity. In cataracts from diabetic patients, the mean enzyme activity was higher than in nondiabetic patients. This was especially marked in nuclear cataracts, in which the specific activity of SOD was higher than in similar cataracts from nondiabetics.

Hyperbaric Oxygenation Combined with Nifedipine Treatment for Recent-Onset Retinal Artery Occlusion

We describe the results of early hyperbaric oxygenation combined with nifedipine treatment for central retinal artery occlusion, and explain the results pathophysiologically. We report four cases in which hyperbaric oxygenation therapy was applied in combination with nifedipine, eyeball massage, and glycerol for the treatment of central retinal artery occlusion. In two of the cases in which therapy was started less than 100 minutes after the acute onset of visual loss and one case in which therapy was started during the course of central arterial occlusion, considerable improvement in visual acuity was observed, while in the fourth case in which therapy was started six hours after the acute onset of visual loss, no improvement appeared. We conclude from these results that hyperbaric oxygenation therapy has a beneficial effect on the final visual outcome of central retinal artery occlusion, provided it is applied early enough. Further investigation is needed to fully define the nature and terms of this beneficial effect.

Multiple retinal arteriolar occlusions associated with coexisting primary antiphospholipid syndrome and factor V Leiden mutation

PURPOSE To investigate a case of a young woman with both primary antiphospholipid syndrome and factor V Leiden mutation who developed multiple retinal arteriolar occlusions. METHOD Case report of a 25-year-old woman with history and laboratory tests confirming the diagnosis of both primary antiphospholipid syndrome and factor V Leiden mutation who presented with blurred vision in both eyes. RESULTS Multiple retinal arteriolar occlusions were observed in both of her eyes. The patient was treated first with heparin and then with warfarin. CONCLUSIONS Primary antiphospholipid syndrome and factor V Leiden mutation, as well as other forms of thrombophilia, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained retinal vascular occlusions. The coexistence of several thrombophilic disorders may carry a particularly high risk for thrombotic manifestations.

Hl-A 27 Antigen Associated by Uveitis and Ankylosing Spondylitis in a Family

Uveitis and ankylosing spondylitis coexisted in a family. Tissue typing of the family revealed the HL-A 27 antigen in five members: two had uveitis; two had ankylosing spondylitis; and one was asymptomatic. These diseases did not coexist in any one member of the family.

Echothiophate Iodide Induced Transient Hyper- and Hypothyroidism

A case of hyper- and hypothyroidism induced by echothiophate iodide eye drops is presented. The thyroid dysfunction was due to excessive iodide intake from the eye drops.

A change in ocular involvement in a patient suffering from ankylosing spondylitis and Behçet's disease.

We report a case of a young man suffering from both ankylosing spondylitis and Behçets disease in whom the character of the ocular involvement changed according to the predominant disease at a given time. When the clinical picture was one of ankylosing spondylitis, only anterior uveitis was observed, while the clinical picture of Behçets disease occurred with panuveitis and retinal vasculitis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the English literature of two different patterns of ocular involvement in the same patient with two seronegative arthritides.

Influence of Bromhexine on Tear Lysozome Level in Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

We tested tear lysozyme levels before and during bromhexine treatment in 18 patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Bromhexine increased the lysozyme level in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca and systemic diseases and, to a lesser degree, in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca only. Bromhexine relieved the ocular symptoms in eight patients and improved Schirmer test findings in five.

Influence of 17β-Estradiol and Progesterone on Rat Ocular Lens

The effect of 17β-estradiol and progesterone on ocular lens in rats and untreated controls was studied. In the treated lenses, the activity of hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase remained