OBJECTIVETo prepare sparfloxcain lactate (SPLX) loaded liposomes and study its corneal penetration and bacterial inhibitory in vitro.

METHODSLiposomal SPLX (mass ratio of phospholipids/ cholesterol/drug at 18:6:1) was prepared by pH-gradients. The transcorneal penetration experiments of liposomal SPLX were performed in modified Franz's cells with the rabbit's corneal. The concentration of SPLX was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The penetration parameters were calculated. The in vitro antibacterial activities on S. aureus, P. aeruginusa, E. coli, and B. subtilis were determined by two fold dilutions.

RESULTSThe entrapment efficiency of SPLX in the liposomes by pH-gradients was (81.61 +/- 1.98)%, which was significantly higher than that by film dispersion method (11.48 +/- 0.86)% and reverse evaporating method (18.64 +/- 1.05)% (both P < 0.01). The permeability coefficient and corneal deposition quantity of SPLX liposomes were 1.65- and 4.98-folds higher as compared with those of free drug solutions. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of liposomal SPLX against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and B. subtilis were 1/4, 1/2, 1/1, 1/17 times lower than those of free drug, respectively, and the minimal bactericide concentrations (MBCs) were 1/4, 1/2, 1/1, 1/4 times lower than those. In addition, the time-kill values of liposomal SPLX were better than those of free.

CONCLUSIONThe pH gradient technique is suitable for preparing SPLX liposomes, which can improve the transcorneal penetration and antibacterial activity of SPLX in vitro.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Cornea ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Female ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Male ; Permeability ; Rabbits

Some different membranes were prepared by Chitosan with the degree of deacetylation (DD) of 63.7%, 73.7%, 83% and 97% respectively. To study the biocompatibility of Chitosan membrane toward corneal stromal cells, the rabbit cells were cultured on the surface of different DD chitosan membranes. The morphological characteristics, the cell-adhesion, the cell proliferation and the activity of LDH in the medium were investigated. The results of experiment shows that the DD of Chitosan has very significant effect on the biocompatibility of Chitosan membrane toward corneal stromal cells. The more DD of Chitosan, the less injury was made to corneal stromal cells by the chitosan membrane, which is favor of the growing and adhesion of corneal stromal cells. The biocompatibility of the membrane made with low DD Chitosan with corneal stromal cells became worse.
Acetylation ; Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cornea ; cytology ; Materials Testing ; Membranes, Artificial ; Rabbits ; Stromal Cells ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDManganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) for visual pathway imaging via topical administration requires further research. This study investigated the permeability of the corneal epithelium and corneal toxicity after topical administration of Mn2+ to understand the applicability of MEMRI.

METHODSForty New Zealand rabbits were divided into 0.05 mol/L, 0.10 mol/L, and 0.20 mol/L groups as well as a control group (n = 10 in each group). Each group was further subdivided into epithelium-removed and epithelium-intact subgroups (n = 5 in each subgroup). Rabbits were given 8 drops of MnCl2in 5 min intervals. The Mn2+ concentrations in the aqueous and vitreous humors were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry at different time points. MEMRI scanning was carried out to image the visual pathway after 24 h. The corneal toxicity of Mn2+ was evaluated with corneal imaging and pathology slices.

RESULTSBetween the aqueous and vitreous humors, there was a 10 h lag for the peak Mn2+ concentration times. The intraocular Mn2+ concentration increased with the concentration gradients of Mn2+ and was higher in the epithelium-removed subgroup than that in the epithelium-intact subgroup. The enhancement of the visual pathway was achieved in the 0.10 mol/L and 0.20 mol/L epithelium-removed subgroups. The corresponding peak concentrations of Mn2+ were 5087 ± 666 ng/ml, 22920 ± 1188 ng/ml in the aqueous humor and 884 ± 78 ng/ml, 2556 ± 492 ng/ml in the vitreous body, respectively. Corneal injury was evident in the epithelium-removed and 0.20 mol/L epithelium-intact subgroups.

CONCLUSIONSThe corneal epithelium is a barrier to Mn2+, and the iris and lens septum might be another intraocular barrier to the permeation of Mn2+. An elevated Mn2+ concentration contributes to the increased permeation of Mn2+, higher MEMRI signal, and corneal toxicity. The enhancement of the visual pathway requires an effective Mn2+ concentration in the vitreous body.

Administration, Topical ; Animals ; Aqueous Humor ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cornea ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Epithelium, Corneal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Manganese ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Visual Pathways ; drug effects ; Vitreous Body ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEFungal keratitis (FK) is a vision-threatening infection, whose treatment requires more effective and safer anti-fungal agent exploitation urgently. With this aim, we focused on the effect of an extracellular polysaccharide on fungal adhesion to human corneal epithelial cells.

METHODSWe performed the cytotoxicity assays of the extracellular polysaccharide EPS-II from an antarctic bacterium Pseudoaltermonas and evaluated its inhibitory effect on Candida albicans cells' adherence to human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs).

RESULTSEPS-II, which displayed minor cytotoxicity but also promoted proliferation of HCECs, could inhibit the adherence of yeast cells to HCECs in a dose-dependent manner. EPS-II could also suppress the subsequent PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and thereby decrease the expression of early inflammatory cytokines.

CONCLUSIONSExtracellular polysaccharide EPS-II was suggested as a new natural agent for attenuating FK.

Blotting, Western ; Candida ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cornea ; microbiology ; Humans ; Phosphorylation ; Polysaccharides, Bacterial ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Pseudoalteromonas ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDTrabecular meshwork (TM) cell volume may be an important determinant of aqueous humor outflow in the eye. This study aimed to evaluate the role of HepII domain peptides V on corneal permeability, corneal endothelial cells, intraocular pressure (IOP) and morphology of trabecular meshwork in rats.

METHODSThe IOP of rat eyes was measured before and 3, 5, 7 and 8 hours after topical delivery of HepII domain peptides V through intracameral injections. The peptide's concentration in aqueous humor was assessed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The shape and density of endothelial cells were observed by laser confocal microscopy 8 hours, 3 and 14 days after intracameral injections of HepII domain peptides V. The morphological changes in TM of rat eyes were assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

RESULTSIntracameral injection of HepII domain peptides V significantly (P < 0.001) decreased IOP by (5.71 ± 2.10) mmHg in rats at 5 hours after injection. There were no obvious changes of the shape and the density of corneal endothelial cells. In addition, morphological changes in the TM of rats were observed including the expansion of intercellular spaces in the juxtacanalicular meshwork, removal of extracellular material, cellular relaxation, and cytoskeleton reorganization.

CONCLUSIONSHepII domain peptides V could not penetrate cornea and was safe to corneal endothelial cells. HepII domain peptides V could significantly decrease IOP in rat probably by disorganizing actin cytoskeleton and cell-junction in the TM.

Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cornea ; cytology ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Endothelium, Corneal ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Fibronectins ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Intraocular Pressure ; drug effects ; Male ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Trabecular Meshwork ; drug effects ; ultrastructure

Angiostatin is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor that is composed of the first four kringles of plasminogen fragment. Angiostatin with one less kringle molecule (kringle 1 to 3) was recently demonstrated to be an effective angiogenic inhibitor. To determine whether recombinant plasminogen kringle 1-3 (rPK1-3) can inhibit the corneal neovascularization induced by potent angiogenic factors; angiogenin, bFGF, or VEGF, hydron polymer discs each containing 2.0 microg of angiogenin, 500 ng of bFGF, or 500 ng of VEGF respectively were implanted into the corneal stroma of 138 rabbit eyes, and then discs each containing 10 microg, 12.5 microg, 20 microg or 30 microg of rPK1-3 were implanted randomly. Discs containing phosphate buffered saline were also implanted as a control. The angiogenesis score on number and length of newly formed vessels on the each of the rabbit's cornea were recorded daily by two observers (blinded). The treated corneas were also examined histologically. Recombinant PK1-3 treated corneas showed less neovascularization induced by all angiogenic factors (p < 0.05). and the extent of inhibition of neovascularization was proportional to the concentration of rPK1-3 (p < 0.05). Histologic examination showed leukocyte infiltration into the corneal stroma on the PBS treated eyes whereas rPK1-3 treated eyes showed only traces of leukocytes. These results of the effective rPK1-3 inhibition of corneal neovascularization induced by angiogenin, bFGF, or VEGF suggest that this angiostatin related fragment, rPK1-3, may be useful in the treatment of various neovascular diseases. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors/pharmacology* ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/genetics ; Animal ; Chick Embryo ; Chorion/drug effects ; Chorion/blood supply ; Cornea/pathology ; Cornea/drug effects ; Cornea/blood supply* ; Endothelial Growth Factors/pharmacology ; Fibroblast Growth Factor, Basic/pharmacology ; Kringles/genetics ; Lymphokines/pharmacology ; Microscopy/methods ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/drug therapy* ; Plasminogen/pharmacology* ; Plasminogen/genetics* ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology ; Recombinant Proteins/genetics ; Ribonuclease, Pancreatic/pharmacology

To determine if the involuntary contractions of eyelids may have any effects on the development of corneal astigmatism, we performed this prospective study which includes 19 patients with either essential blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm. In hemifacial spasm, the degree of corneal astigmatism was evaluated between two eyes. Then the topographic changes were checked using vector analysis technique before and after passively opening the eyelids. They were also measured before and at 1 and 6 months after the injection of Botulinum toxin. Resultantly, 20 eyes had the with-the-rule (group1) and 9 eyes against-the-rule (group2) astigmatism. In hemifacial spasm, significantly more astigmatism was found at spastic eyes. The corneal topographic changes after passively opening the eyelids showed 10 eyes with the astigmatic shift to the with-the-rule, while the remaining 19 to the againstthe- rule. At 1 month after injection of Botulinum toxin, group 1 showed reduced average corneal astigmatism, whereas group 2 showed increased astigmatism. The astigmatic change vector showed significantly more against-the-rule. In the contrary, 6 months after treatment, corneal astigmatism again increased in group 1 and decreased in group 2. So they took on the appearance of pretreatment astigmatic status eventually. Conclusively eyelids may play an important role in corneal curvature.
Aged ; Astigmatism/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Blepharospasm/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Botulinum Toxin Type A/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Cornea/drug effects/physiopathology ; Corneal Diseases/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Eyelids/drug effects/physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of emodin on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced corneal injury in rats.

METHODSThree parallel incisions on the central surface of corneal epithelium were made and LPS was applied on them to induce corneal injury in Wistar rats. All rats were randomly divided into emodin group (n=40) and keratitis group (n=40). Rats in the emodin group received subconjunctival injection of emodin and rats in the keratitis group received its vehicle 30 minutes before LPS exposure. At different time points--1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after LPS exposure, the symptoms of all rats were observed and the severity of their ocular inflammation was examined with a slit lamp microscope, then 8 rats in each group were killed through cervical dislocation and their eyes were enucleated and prepared to observe pathological changes of corneal tissue under a light microscope. The activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) under different conditions was determined by Western blot. Immunocytochemistry staining with an antibody against intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was performed to identify positive cells in corneal tissues.

RESULTSThe model of acute keratitis was successfully established in Wistar rats. LPS could induce a typical corneal inflammatory response, such as hyperemia, corneal edema and opacity, which were observed in model rats. Compared with keratitis group, both ocular behaviors and damages of the corneal structure were improved in emodin group. Furthermore, the activation of NF-kappaB and the expression of ICAM-1 induced by LPS were markedly inhibited in emodin group.

CONCLUSIONEmodin can inhibit the activation of NF-kappaB and the expression of ICAM-1 induced by LPS in corneas, protect against acute corneal injury, and improve symptoms in rats.

Animals ; Cornea ; drug effects ; pathology ; Emodin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; analysis ; Keratitis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

AIMTo evaluate how solution viscosity affects the precorneal residence of five water-soluble polymers with different properties.

METHODSCaptive bubble technique was used, with the consecutive change of contact angle interpreted as an indication of desorption process, to study the residence of those polymers in vitro on freshly enucleated rabbit eyes under physiological conditions.

RESULTSCarbopol and sodium hyaluronate (HA), which adsorbed to isolated ocular surface more than 15 min, showed the optimum precorneal retentive capabilities. When the solution viscosity increased from 12 mPa.s to 50 mPa.s, the residence time of carbopol and HA were prolonged 10 min and 7 min, respectively, but that of sodium carboxymethylcellulose was not affected.

CONCLUSIONThe result suggested that higher viscosity is beneficial to improve the ocular residence time of bio-adhesive polymers.

Acrylic Resins ; Adhesiveness ; Animals ; Cornea ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Female ; Hyaluronic Acid ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Polyvinyls ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Solutions ; Viscosity

BACKGROUNDPretreatment with chemical agents could alter the surface chemistry of the silicone gel, which makes it suitable for epithelial migration onto its surface and thus enhances the cytobiocompatibility. This study aimed to evaluate the biological response of the corneal stroma to porous silicone gel pretreated with different chemical agents in vivo.

METHODSThe porous silicone gels were treated with a mixed acid solution containing 23.2% H2SO4 and 0.8% K2Cr2O7 for 10 or 15 minutes or with 30% H2O2 for 15 minutes. Discs (4 mm in diameter) were inserted into interlamellar stromal pockets of New Zealand white rabbits and followed up for a period of 3 months. Clinical evaluations such as corneal infiltration, edema and neovascularization were performed daily. At 3 months, the fibroplasias and collagen deposition were examined under light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTSPretreatment of the discs obviously decreased conjunctival congestion, discharge, cornea edema, and the extent of neovascularization. More fibroblasts migrated into the pretreated discs than into the control, and collagen was deposited, indicating that the biocompatibility of the corneal replacements was enhanced by the chemical pretreatments. From immunohistochemical analysis, Type I collagen deposition in the pretreated silicone discs was greater than in the control.

CONCLUSIONSChemical treatment of silicone gel is effective in decreasing rabbit corneal inflammation, encouraging fibroblast in-growth, and enhancing tissue compatibility. Pretreated gels show good biological stability when used as a skirt material in Keratoprosthesis (Kpros).

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Cornea ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Corneal Edema ; etiology ; Corneal Stroma ; drug effects ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Porosity ; Prostheses and Implants ; Rabbits ; Silicone Gels ; adverse effects ; chemistry