Yasin Yücel Bucak

Inhibitory effects of regorafenib, a multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on corneal neovascularization.

AIM To evaluate the inhibitory effects of regorafenib (BAY 73-4506), a multikinase inhibitor, on corneal neovascularization (NV). METHODS Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g, were used. Corneal NV was induced by NaOH in the left eyes of each rat. Following the establishment of alkali burn, the animals were randomized into five groups according to topical treatment. Group 1 (n = 6) received 0.9% NaCl, Group 2 (n = 6) received dimethyl sulfoxide, Group 3 (n = 6) received regorafenib 1 mg/mL, Group 4 (n =6) received bevacizumab 5 mg/mL and Group 5 (n = 6) received 0.1% dexamethasone phosphate. On the 7d, the corneal surface covered with neovascular vessels was measured on photographs as the percentage of the corneas total area using computer-imaging analysis. The corneas obtained from rats were semiquantitatively evaluated for caspase-3 and vascular endothelial growth factor by immunostaining. RESULTS A statistically significant difference in the percent area of corneal NV was found among the groups (P <0.001). Although the Group 5 had the smallest percent area of corneal NV, there was no difference among Groups 3, 4 and 5 (P >0.005). There was a statistically significant difference among the groups in apoptotic cell density (P = 0.002). The staining intensity of vascular endothelial growth factor in the epithelial and endothelial layers of cornea was significantly different among the groups (P <0.05). The staining intensity of epithelial and endothelial vascular endothelial growth factor was significantly weaker in Groups 3, 4 and 5 than in Groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSION Topical administration of regorafenib 1 mg/mL is partly effective for preventing alkali-induced corneal NV in rats.

Isolated lateral rectus muscle involvement as a presenting sign of euthyroid Graves disease

A 27-year-old man who presented with diplopia and proptosis and was diagnosed with euthyroid Graves disease and restrictive strabismus. It was determined that his symptoms were caused by isolated lateral rectus muscle involvement. Diplopia resolved and ocular motility improved substantially following 6 weeks of oral corticosteroid therapy.

Serum Levels of Omentin in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome.

Purpose:Omentin, a member of the adipocytokines family, is derived from adipose tissue and a lower level of serum omentin is considered as a metabolic risk factor. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the serum levels of omentin in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES). Materials and Methods:Patients without any systemic or ocular disease other than PES were included in the study. Age-matched and sex-matched healthy volunteers without PES were accepted as a control group. After detailed ophthalmologic examination, blood samples were obtained from a forearm vein. Serum levels of omentin were determined by the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:The mean age of the PES group (12 females, 12 males, n=24) was 75.2±8.4 years, and the control group (10 females, 10 males, n=20) was 75±6.7 years. There was no difference between the groups in terms of age (P=0.93) and sex (P=0.9). The mean serum levels of omentin in the PES group were 801.5±317.1 ng/mL and in the control group were 1150.1±584.1 ng/mL. The mean serum omentin levels were significantly lower in patients with PES (P=0.016). Conclusion:Lower levels of serum omentin in patients with PES compared with healthy subjects may support the theory of systemic nature of the disease.

Serum Uric Acid, Alanine Aminotransferase, Hemoglobin and Red Blood Cell Count Levels in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome

Purpose. The pathogenesis of pseudoexfoliation (PEX), the most common cause of secondary glaucoma, has not been clearly identified, but there is increasing evidence that points out the role of oxidative stress. The aim of this study is to evaluate some of the most commonly used blood parameters, hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and uric acid (UA) levels, in subjects with PEX. Materials and Methods. This study is performed in a state hospital between November 2011 and December 2012. Retrospective chart review of subjects who underwent cataract surgery was performed. Thirty-one healthy subjects with PEX and 34 healthy subjects without PEX were evaluated. Hb, RBC, ALT, and UA levels were recorded. Students t-test was used to compare the two groups. Results. The mean age was 73.6 ± 14.1 years in PEX group and 70.1 ± 12.7 in control group (p = 0.293). Hb, RBC, ALT, and UA levels did not show a statistically significant difference among PEX and control groups (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusion. Serum levels of Hb, RBC, ALT, and UA levels were similar in subjects with and without PEX. Further studies are needed to clarify the precise role of Hb, RBC, ALT, and UA in the pathogenesis of PEX.