布林佐胺与噻吗洛尔滴眼液对新生血管性青光眼患者眼压及血清和房水IL-6、PEDF和VEGF水平的影响

目的:探讨布林佐胺联合噻吗洛尔滴眼液对新生血管性青光眼(NVG)患者眼压及血清和房水中白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、色素上皮衍生因子(PEDF)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)水平的影响。方法:选取我院2014年6月～2016年12月择期行手术治疗的86例NVG患者,按照随机数字表法均分为两组。对照组术后采取噻吗洛尔滴眼液治疗,观察组在此基础上加用布林佐胺滴眼液治疗。记录比较两组临床疗效,治疗前后眼压及血清和房水中IL-6、PEDF和VEGF水平的变化及不良反应的发生情况。结果:术后6个月,观察组总有效率为95.3%,较对照组明显升高(79.1%,P0.05)。与术前对比,两组术后7天、6个月时24 h眼压峰值、平均眼压、眼压波动值、血清和房水中IL-6、VEGF水平均显著下降(P0.01),血清和房水中PEDF水平均显著上升(P0.01),且观察组以上眼压指标较对照组同期改善更为明显(P0.01)。对照组和观察组不良反应的发生率对比差异无统计学意义(7.0%vs 11.6%,P0.05)。结论:术后应用布林佐胺联合噻吗洛尔滴眼液治疗NVG患者更能有效降低眼压和控制其波动,调节机体血管生成促进/抑制因子平衡,提高治疗效果,且安全性高。     

汉防己甲素及其联合氟康唑对白念珠菌细胞周期影响的初步研究

目的 探讨汉防己甲素联合氟康唑对白念珠菌细胞周期的影响.方法 将白念珠菌CA-1菌悬液与汉防己甲素和（或）氟康唑共培养12h,应用流式细胞仪测定空白对照组、汉防己甲素组、氟康唑组及汉防己甲素联合氟康唑组DNA含量.比较细胞周期各期DNA含量变化并计算增殖抑制率PI％,分析汉防己甲素及其联合氟康唑对白念珠菌细胞周期的影响.结果 汉防己甲素、氟康唑组与对照组S期DNA含量相比,分别能增加17.25％ （P =0.018）与6.54％ （P ＞0.05）,其联合运用效果更明显,S期DNA含量可增加31.52％ （P =0.002）.这说明汉防己甲素能将白念珠菌细胞阻滞在S期.结论 汉防己甲素能抑制白念珠菌细胞DNA合成,阻断白念珠菌细胞周期进程,抑制细胞分裂,其与氟康唑联用时阻滞作用更显著.     

汉防己甲素联合顺铂对乳腺癌细胞的作用

目的:汉防己甲素和顺铂联合作用乳腺癌细胞,来提高癌细胞对顺铂的敏感性.方法:运用原子力显微镜对乳腺癌细胞表面的超微结构进行表征;MTr法和流式细胞术检测细胞的生长抑制率和细胞周期变化.结果:顺铂和汉防己甲素分别作用乳腺癌细胞48h IC50值为26.33μmoL/l和5.6μmok/l;联合用药组的IC50值为汉防己甲素2.5μmol/L和顺铂13.32μmol/l,在低浓度的联合用药作用乳腺癌细胞24h细胞膜表面结构被破坏,产生孔洞,作用48h被严重破坏使细胞周期在S比例增加为51.7%±0.30%.结论:提高了癌细胞对抗癌药物的敏感性,联合用药通过改变了细胞膜的结构对癌细胞进行有效杀伤,抑制肿瘤细胞生长.     

慢性高眼压下兔视网膜组织蛋白质组变化的初步研究

应用蛋白质组学技术对兔青光眼慢性高眼压视网膜组织的蛋白进行初步分析。左眼前房注入0.2mL复方卡波姆溶液制作成慢性高眼压模型,右眼为对照眼。28d后分离各组视网膜组织,用双向电泳分离试验组和对照组的蛋白,然后分析电泳图谱,对比、分析其表达蛋白质点的差异,寻找兔视网膜中与慢性高眼压相关的蛋白质。结果表明,慢性高眼压诱导视网膜组织3种蛋白质出现明显差异表达。质谱鉴定出3个蛋白质,分别为热休克蛋白70(heat shock 70 kD protein,HSP70),丙酮酸激酶(Pyruvate kinase)和烯醇酶(enolase)。通过双向电泳,发现兔视网膜蛋白质表达与对照眼相比有质和量的变化,这些变化涉及与神经节细胞(retinal ganglion cells,RGCs)糖酵解及应激反应有关的几组蛋白质,提示上述蛋白质组改变可能参与了慢性青光眼神经节细胞凋亡的过程。     

小鼠慢性高眼压模型下视网膜神经节细胞的损伤

目的:通过巩膜外静脉烧烙术建立慢性高眼压模型,研究小鼠慢性高眼压状态下视网膜神经节细胞的凋亡情况.方法:取C57BL/6J小鼠30只.3只作为空白对照组,其余27只右眼为实验眼,左眼为对照眼.术前用iCare眼压计测量眼压,按巩膜外静脉烧烙法建立慢性高眼压模型,术后用iCare眼压计每日监测眼压.分剐取空白对照组6眼,术后1w、4 w造模成功的小鼠各8只16眼眼球,石蜡切片行Tunel法,荧光显微镜下采集图像.小鼠眼压的组间比较采用t检验.结果:给予巩膜外静脉烧烙术后1d、1w、4w小鼠慢性高眼压眼眼压(11.15±0.98、10.65±0.95、10.35±1.05)与对照眼(6.40±0.95、6.35±1.05、6.50±1.15)相比,差异有统计学意义(t=10.77～18.08,P＜0.001).Tunel法结果显示,正常小鼠空白对照组未见明显凋亡的视网膜神经节细胞.慢性高眼压组术后1w、4w可见Tunel阳性表达.而对照组术后1w及4w均未见Tunel阳性表达.结论:巩膜外静脉烧灼法能诱导出持续的肯定的小鼠慢性高眼压模型,慢性高眼压状态下小鼠视网膜神经节细胞发生凋亡,细胞凋亡是小鼠慢性高眼压状态下视网膜神经节细胞损伤的主要方式.     

曲伏前列素滴眼液治疗开角型青光眼的疗效及对血流动力学的影响

目的:探讨曲伏前列素滴眼液治疗开角型青光眼的疗效及对血流动力学的影响。方法:选择2013年3月~2015年12月在我院接受治疗的164例开角型青光眼患者为研究对象,按照随机数字表法分为对照组和试验组,每组82例,对照组给予马来酸噻吗洛尔滴眼,试验组给予曲伏前列素滴眼,12周后观察两组患者的降眼压效果和视力改变情况,彩色多普勒超声检测眼动脉(OA)、睫状后短动脉(SPCA)及视网膜中央动脉(CRA)的收缩期血流峰值速度(PSV)、舒张末期血流速度(EDV)和阻力指数(RI),并观察其不良反应。结果:两组患者治疗前和治疗后2周的眼压和视力比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者的眼压与治疗前比较均降低,视力与治疗前比较均提升,且试验组眼压降低及视力提升更显著,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗6周和12周后,试验组患者的眼压低于对照组,视力高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗12周后试验组患者OA、SPCA及CRA的EDV、PSV均高于对照组,而RI均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者的不良反应主要为轻度异物感、轻度结膜充血、虹膜色素加深等,两组患者的不良反应发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:曲伏前列素滴眼液治疗开角型青光眼可降低眼压,提高视力,改善眼部血流动力学指标,且安全性较好,值得临床推广应用。     

布林佐胺联合噻吗洛尔治疗开角型青光眼的临床效果观察及安全性评价

目的:探讨布林佐胺联合噻吗洛尔治疗开角型青光眼的临床效果及安全性。方法:选择2016年9月至2018年9月在我院接受治疗的150例开角型青光眼患者,采用抽签法分为观察组(n=76)和对照组(n=74)。对照组给予噻吗洛尔治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上给予布林佐胺治疗。比较两组患者的临床疗效、治疗前后眼压、视野平均光敏度、视野平均缺损、视网膜神经纤维层厚度(RNFLT)、视盘盘沿面积(NRA)、泪膜破裂时间(BUT)、收缩期峰值血流速度(PSV)、舒张末期血流速度(EDV)及阻力系数(RI)水平的变化及并发症的发生情况。结果:治疗后,观察组和对照组总有效率分别为96.72%,79.66%,观察组显著高于对照组(P0.05);观察组眼压、视野平均光敏度、视野平均缺损水平及RI均显著低于对照组(P0.05),PSV、EDV、BUT显著高于对照组(P0.05)。两组并发症总发生率分别为3.95%、9.46%,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:布林佐胺联合噻吗洛尔用于开角型青光眼患者的效果显著,可有效改善患者眼压、视敏度,且安全性较高。     

肉鸡盲肠乳酸杆菌的数量与生产性能的相关性分析

研究小刺猴头菌发酵浸膏对肉鸡生产性能和盲肠乳酸杆菌的影响。选用1日龄AA肉仔鸡240只,随机分为4组,每组3个重复,每个重复20只。空白对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中添加不同剂量(添加量按其多糖含量在基础日粮中的比例为0.1%、0.3%、0.5%)的HFC,试验为期60 d。结果表明:1⁴2日龄时,0.1%、0.3%、0.5%HFC组的平均日增重极显著高于空白对照组(P<0.01)。2142日龄时,0.1%、0.3%、0.5%HFC组的平均日增重极显著高于空白对照组(P<0.01)。21⁴2日龄时,0.1%、0.3%、0.5%HFC组的平均日采食量极显著高于空白对照组(P<0.01)。142日龄时,0.1%、0.3%、0.5%HFC组的平均日采食量极显著高于空白对照组(P<0.01)。1⁴2日龄时,与空白对照组相比,0.1%、0.3%、0.5%HFC组能够极显著降低料肉比(P<0.01)。定量分析盲肠乳酸杆菌表明:42日龄时,与空白对照组相比,0.1%、0.3%、0.5%HFC组极显著增加盲肠乳酸杆菌的数量(P<0.01)。乳酸杆菌与生产性能的相关性分析表明:42日龄时,肉鸡的平均日增重与盲肠乳酸杆菌呈极显著正相关(r=0.983,P<0.01),料肉比与盲肠乳酸杆菌呈显著负相关(r=-0.908,P<0.05)。饲料中添加HFC有助于提高肉鸡的生产性能,促进盲肠乳酸杆菌的增殖;盲肠乳酸杆菌的增殖有助于提高肉鸡的生产性能。     

复明片联合曲伏前列素滴眼液对原发性开角型青光眼患者眼部血流动力学和房水EPO、sCD44的影响

摘要 目的：探讨复明片联合曲伏前列素滴眼液对原发性开角型青光眼（POAG）患者眼部血流动力学和房水促红细胞生成素（EPO）、可溶性CD44（sCD44）的影响。方法：选择2017年4月~2020年11月在本院接受治疗的112例193眼的POAG患者,根据随机数字表法分为对照组（n=56,96眼）和研究组（n=56,97眼）,对照组患者接受曲伏前列素滴眼液治疗,研究组接受复明片联合曲伏前列素滴眼液治疗,对比两组疗效、眼部血流动力学和房水EPO、sCD44,视力、视野、眼压,观察治疗期间不良反应发生状况。结果：研究组的临床总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗12周后,研究组平均光敏感度（MS）、视力高于对照组,24 h眼压平均值小于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗12周后,研究组舒张末期流速（EDV）、收缩期峰值流速（PSV）高于对照组,血流阻力系数（RI）小于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗12周后,研究组房水EPO、sCD44水平低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率组间对比无统计学差异（P>0.05）。结论：复明片联合曲伏前列素滴眼液治疗POAG患者,可促进患者视力、视野、眼压改善,可能与调节眼部血流动力学和房水EPO、sCD44水平有关。     

星球的组织培养与快速繁殖

1植物名称星球(Astrophytum asterias). 2材料类别新生小球. 3培养条件培养基:(1)MS 6-BA 2.0 mg·L-1(单位下同) NAA 0.1;(2)MS 6-BA 0.5 NAA0.05;(3)MS 6-BA 0.2 NAA 0.01;(4)MS KT0.5～1.5 NAA 0.1;(5)MS KT 0.3 NAA 0.02.上述培养基均加3.0%蔗糖、0.7%琼脂,pH值5.8～6.0.培养温度为(28±2)℃,光照14 h·d-1,光照度2 800 lx.     

Effects of Topical Bimatoprost 0.01% and Timolol 0.5% on Circadian IOP,Blood Pressure and Perfusion Pressure in Patients with Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension: A Randomized,Double Masked,Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

PurposeTo compare the 24-hour (24h) effects on intraocular pressure (IOP) and cardiovascular parameters of timolol 0.5% and bimatoprost 0.01% in open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertensive subjects.MethodsIn this prospective, randomized, double masked, crossover, clinical trial, after washout from previous medications enrolled subjects underwent 24h IOP, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) measurements and were randomized to either topical bimatoprost 0.01% at night plus placebo in the morning or to timolol 0.5% bid. After 8 weeks of treatment a second 24h assessment of IOP, BP and HR was performed and then subjects switched to the opposite treatment for additional 8 weeks when a third 24h assessment was performed. The primary endpoint was the comparison of the mean 24h IOP after each treatment. Secondary endpoints included the comparisons of IOP at each timepoint of the 24h curve and the comparison of BP, HR, ocular perfusion pressure and tolerability.ResultsMean untreated 24h IOP was 20.3 mmHg (95%CI 19.0 to 21.6). Mean 24h IOP was significantly lower after 8 weeks of treatment with bimatoprost 0.01% than after 8 weeks of treatment with timolol 0.5% bid (15.7 vs 16.8 mmHg, p = 0.0003). Mean IOP during the day hours was significantly reduced from baseline by both drugs while mean IOP during the night hours was reduced by -2.3 mmHg (p = 0.0002) by bimatoprost 0.01% plus placebo and by -1.1 mmHg by timolol 0.5% bid (p = 0.06). Timolol 0.5% significantly reduced the mean 24h systolic BP from baseline, the diastolic BP during the day hours, the HR during the night hours, and the mean 24h systolic ocular perfusion pressure.ConclusionBoth Bimatoprost 0.01% and Timolol 0.5% are effective in reducing the mean 24h IOP from an untreated baseline but Bimatoprost 0.01% is more effective than timolol 0.5% throughout the 24h. Timolol 0.5% effect on IOP is reduced during the night hours and is associated with reduced BP, HR and ocular perfusion pressure.

Trial Registration

EU Clinical Trial Register and EudraCT# 2010-024272-26     

Intraocular Pressure-Lowering Effects of Commonly Used Fixed-Combination Drugs with Timolol: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

The first goal of medical therapy in glaucoma is to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP), and the fixed-combination medications are needed to achieve sufficiently low target IOP. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate IOP-lowering effect of the commonly used fixed-combination drugs containing 0.5% timolol.

Methods

Pertinent publications were identified through systematic searches. Over 85% of the patients had to be diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT). Forty-one randomized clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis. The main efficacy measures were the absolute and relative values of mean diurnal IOP reduction, and the highest and lowest IOP reductions on the diurnal IOP curve. The pooled 1- to 3-month IOP-lowering effects after a medicine-free washout period was calculated by performing meta-analysis using the random effects model, and relative treatment effects among different fixed combinations were assessed using a mixed-effects meta-regression model.

Results

The relative reductions for mean diurnal IOP were 34.9% for travoprost/timolol, 34.3% for bimatoprost/timolol, 33.9% for latanoprost/timolol, 32.7% for brinzolamide/timolol, 29.9% for dorzolamide/timolol, and 28.1% for brimonidine/timolol. For the highest IOP decrease, relative reductions ranged from 31.3% for dorzolamide/timolol to 35.5% for travoprost/timolol; for the lowest IOP decrease, those varied from 25.9% for dorzolamide/timolol to 33.1% for bimatoprost/timolol. Both latanoprost/timolol and travoprost/timolol were more effective in lowering mean diurnal IOP than brimonidine/timolol (WMD: 5.9 and 7.0) and dorzolamide/timolol (WMD: 3.8 and 3.3).

Conclusions

All six commonly used fixed-combination drugs containing timolol can effectively lower IOP in patients with POAG and OHT, and both latanoprost/timolol and travoprost/timolol might achieve better IOP-lowering effects among the six fixed-combination agents.     

Effects of a non-selective beta-blocker on adult rat anterograde axonal transport and retinal ganglion layer after increased intraocular pressure

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of timolol in an experimental model of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Three episcleral veins of rats with normal IOP were cauterized. Three months later we examined the effects on anterograde axonal transport from the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to the superior colliculus (SC) as well as on the number of neurons in the retinal ganglion layer (RGL). These parameters were also studied in a group of rats submitted to treatment with timolol after confirming that their IOP was still raised after two weeks. After the surgical procedure, the mean IOP of the experimental eyes increased to 33.5+/-1.06 mmHg (1.25 fold compared to the control group) and three months later the IOP remained significantly elevated; however, after a long period of treatment with timolol the IOP was 14.05+/-0.81 mmHg, similar to that of the control group. In the group with normal IOP, labelling with horseradish rabbit peroxidase (HRP) at 120 minutes and 24 hours postinjection showed continuous staining from the retina to the SC. In the experimental group the optic nerve head (ONH) was completely negative, although in the group treated with timolol there was partial block of axonal transport in the ONH, in which the staining was slightly more intense. The number of neurons in the RGL, counted by immunohistochemical labelling with Neu-N, showed that in eyes with normal and elevated IOP there were 423+/-11 neurons/mm(2) and 283+/-10 neurons/mm(2), respectively. After treatment with timolol the number of neurons (331+/-10 cells/mm(2) increased compared with elevated IOP eyes, although the number did not reach that of the control group. These results indicate that treatment with timolol, started two weeks after the surgical procedure, was partially neuroprotective because the loss of neurons in the RGL was lower than in untreated animals, though not sufficient to re-establish normal axonal transport.     

Effects of intravitreous sodium hydrosulfide on intraocular pressure and retinopathy in ocular hypertensive rats

We investigated the possible neuroprotectant and intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effects of intravitreous injection of sodium hydrosulfide (NaSH) in a rodent model of experimental glaucoma. Glaucoma currently is treated by controlling IOP using medications and/or surgery. These methods are not entirely adequate for all patients. We divided 24 rats into three groups. For the control group, the right eye was treated with intravitreous saline. For the glaucoma group, ocular hypertension was induced by photocoagulating three episcleral veins and the limbal plexus of the right eye using an argon laser, then saline was injected into the vitreous of these eyes during the third week. For the NaSH group, rats were treated with intravenous NaSH 3 weeks after photocoagulation. IOP was measured each week during the 6 week experimental period. Coagulating the episcleral veins rapidly increased the IOP of rat eyes. Intravitreous injection of NaSH significantly reduced IOP. Intravitreous NaSH prevented degeneration of the retina and decreased the number of apoptotic cells. Intravitreous NaSH appeared to reduce IOP and to prevent IOP induced retinopathy in rats.     

Selective laser trabeculoplasty in the treatment of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma in patients allergic to all anti-glaucoma drops

Secondary chronic open-angle glaucoma associated with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome accounts for approximately 25% of all glaucomas and represents the most common identifiable cause of glaucoma overall. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is effective in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucomatous patients and has the advantage of preserving surrounding structures. We report here SLT treatment of a 82 year old female with a secondary developed open-angle pseudoexfoliation glaucoma allergic to all anti glaucoma eye drops especially those which contain bensalconium chloridum as preservative. Since patient was allergic also to methyl-cellulose, we performed SLT with water as a mediator. Patient had PEX syndrome for 10 years, immature cataracts on both eyes, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 0.7 on the right and 0.2 on the left eye. We have monitored intraocular pressure (IOP), the changes in the visual field and optic nerve. Preoperative IOP was 28 mmHg on the right and 30 mmHg on the left eye. The follow up period was 24 months with time points for measured parameters every 3 months. After 18 months IOP remained in the normal values (average 17 mmHg) on the right eye, but on the left eye it increased up to 28 mmHg. SLT re-treatment was carried out on the left eye and the IOP stabilized again on the values between 16-18mmHg. There were no significant change in the visual field and optic nerve configuration before and after SLT (C/D value for right eye: 0.3-0.4; C/D left eye: 0.5). Based on this case report, SLT seems to be very effective treatment for maintaining regular IOP in patient with PEX who is allergic to all types of medications.     

马来酸噻吗洛尔联合拉坦前列腺素治疗高眼压型开角型青光眼的效果

目的:探讨马来酸噻吗洛尔联合拉坦前列腺素治疗高眼压型开角型青光眼的临床效果。方法:选取高眼压型开角型青光眼患者210例,随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组各105例。对照组患者给予马来酸噻吗洛尔治疗,治疗组患者给予马来酸噻吗洛尔联合拉坦前列腺素治疗。观察并比较两组患者治疗前后视力改善情况,眼压、视乳头杯盘比值变化情况,眼结膜充血、眼内干涩、角膜点状浸润以及一过性视觉模糊等不良反应的发生情况等。结果:治疗组患者视力改善率为85.7%,对照组为71.4%,治疗组高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后两组患者眼压、视乳头杯盘比值均明显下降,且治疗组明显低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗组患者眼结膜充血、眼内干涩、角膜点状浸润以及一过性视觉模糊等不良反应明显低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:马来酸噻吗洛尔联合拉坦前列腺素治疗高眼压型开角型青光眼能够改善患者视力水平,值得临床推广应用。此外,我们分析其作用可能与降低视乳头杯盘比值有关。     

清胰汤对大鼠急性坏死性胰腺炎IL-6,IL-10及肠道通透性影响

目的：探讨清胰汤改善大鼠急性坏死性胰腺炎（acute necrotizing pancreatitis）ANP炎症反应及肠道通透性功能的治疗效果及机制。方法：将72只雄性SD大鼠随机分为3组,其中2组大鼠采用从胰腺被膜下多点缓慢均匀注入3.8%牛黄胆酸钠（0.5ml/100g）建立大鼠急性坏死性胰腺炎模型,再分为急性坏死性胰腺炎常规治疗组（A组）、清胰汤干预治疗组（B组）,其他24只大鼠为假手术组（S组）,每组再随机分为24h、48h、72h组。各组于12h后给于肠内营养,B组肠内营养后给于2次清胰汤2.5ml/100g,A组、S组给于同等剂量生理盐水。各组于建模后24h、48h、72h处死,腹腔动脉取血检测血清淀粉酶浓度、IL-6、IL-10、D-乳酸水平。结果：48h时点B组IL-10水平较A组高（P〈0.05）;72时点B组血清淀粉酶水平较A组低（P〈0.01）,IL-6水平较A组低（P〈0.01）,IL-10水平较A组高（P〈0.01）,D-乳酸水平较A组低（P〈0.01）。结论：清胰汤可以上调IL-10改善大鼠急性胰腺炎炎症反应从而降低肠道通透性。     

A Laser-Induced Mouse Model with Long-Term Intraocular Pressure Elevation

Purpose

To develop and characterize a mouse model with intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation after laser photocoagulation on the trabecular meshwork (TM), which may serve as a model to investigate the potential of stem cell-based therapies for glaucoma.

Methods

IOP was measured in 281 adult C57BL/6 mice to determine normal IOP range. IOP elevation was induced unilaterally in 50 adult mice, by targeting the TM through the limbus with a 532-nm diode laser. IOP was measured up to 24 weeks post-treatment. The optic nerve damage was detected by electroretinography and assessed by semiautomatic counting of optic nerve axons. Effects of laser treatment on the TM were evaluated by histology, immunofluorescence staining, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results

The average IOP of C57BL/6 mice was 14.5±2.6 mmHg (Mean ±SD). After laser treatment, IOP averaged above 20 mmHg throughout the follow-up period of 24 weeks. At 24 weeks, 57% of treated eyes had elevated IOP with the mean IOP of 22.5±2.5 mmHg (Mean ±SED). The difference of average axon count (59.0%) between laser treated and untreated eyes was statistically significant. Photopic negative response (PhNR) by electroretinography was significantly decreased. CD45+ inflammatory cells invaded the TM within 1 week. The expression of SPARC was increased in the TM from 1 to 12 weeks. Histology showed the anterior chamber angle open after laser treatment. OCT indicated that most of the eyes with laser treatment had no synechia in the anterior chamber angles. TEM demonstrated disorganized and compacted extracellular matrix in the TM.

Conclusions

An experimental murine ocular hypertension model with an open angle and optic nerve axon loss was produced with laser photocoagulation, which could be used to investigate stem cell-based therapies for restoration of the outflow pathway integrity for ocular hypertension or glaucoma.     

Bimatoprost-Loaded Ocular Inserts as Sustained Release Drug Delivery Systems for Glaucoma Treatment: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

The purpose of the present study was to develop and assess a novel sustained-release drug delivery system of Bimatoprost (BIM). Chitosan polymeric inserts were prepared using the solvent casting method and characterized by swelling studies, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, drug content, scanning electron microscopy and in vitro drug release. Biodistribution of ^99mTc-BIM eye drops and ^99mTc-BIM-loaded inserts, after ocular administration in Wistar rats, was accessed by ex vivo radiation counting. The inserts were evaluated for their therapeutic efficacy in glaucomatous Wistar rats. Glaucoma was induced by weekly intracameral injection of hyaluronic acid. BIM-loaded inserts (equivalent to 9.0 µg BIM) were administered once into conjunctival sac, after ocular hypertension confirmation. BIM eye drop was topically instilled in a second group of glaucomatous rats for 15 days days, while placebo inserts were administered once in a third group. An untreated glaucomatous group was used as control. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored for four consecutive weeks after treatment began. At the end of the experiment, retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve head cupping were evaluated in the histological eye sections. Characterization results revealed that the drug physically interacted, but did not chemically react with the polymeric matrix. Inserts sustainedly released BIM in vitro during 8 hours. Biodistribution studies showed that the amount of ^99mTc-BIM that remained in the eye was significantly lower after eye drop instillation than after chitosan insert implantation. BIM-loaded inserts lowered IOP for 4 weeks, after one application, while IOP values remained significantly high for the placebo and untreated groups. Eye drops were only effective during the daily treatment period. IOP results were reflected in RGC counting and optic nerve head cupping damage. BIM-loaded inserts provided sustained release of BIM and seem to be a promising system for glaucoma management.     

A study of replacement of timolol-pilocarpine with latanoprost in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of replacing current dual local therapy (timolol and pilocarpine) with latanoprost 0.005% in 71 pseudoexfoliation glaucoma patients with controlled intraocular pressure (IOP). 39 patients switched to latanoprost 0.005%) and 32 patients continued timolol-pilocarpine therapy. Mean diurnal (IOP) was measured at baseline, after 0.5, 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment. After 6 months 38 patients with latanoprost and 30 patients with timolol-pilocarpine had completed the study. At baseline the mean diurnal IOP was 20.4 +/- 2.0 mmHg for patients in latanoprost treatment group and 21.4 +/- 2.1 mmHg for patients in timolol-pilocarpine group. At the end of the study, after 6 months of treatment, the mean diurnal IOP values were 16.6 +/- 2.4 and 17.9 +/- 2.0 mmHg respectively. IOP was statistically significantly reduced from baseline (p < 0.001). The mean diurnal IOP change from baseline was -3.3 +/- 0.5 mmHg (mean +/- SEM, ANCOVA) for the patients treated with latanoprost and -3.2 +/- 0.4 mmHg for the patients treated with timolol + pilocarpine. This difference in IOP reduction between groups was not statistically significant (z = 0.69; p = 0.49). This study showed that combination therapy (timolol plus pilocarpine) in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma can effectively be replaced by latanoprost monotherapy.