AIM: To investigate the protective effect of five natural anti-oxidants (schisandrin B, Sch B; silibinin, SIB; propyl gallate, PG; sodium ferulate, SF; total flavonoids of hippophase, TFH) on experimental oxidative injuries of lens. METHODS: All fresh transparent lenses of rabbit eyes except control group were bathed in Fenton reaction system in order to produce a model of oxidative damages of lens, meanwhile Sch B, SIB, PG, SF, TFH and pirenoxine sodium (PS) were added in the reaction system in different groups respectively. Lenses were incubated for 24 hours. Then total protein (TP), soluble protein (SP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione (GSH), vitamin C (Vit C), total activities of anti-oxidation (TAO) and malondiaoldehyde (MDA) in homogenized lenses were measured to observe the effects of five anti-oxidants on above index. RESULTS: Five anti-oxidants increased the anti-oxidative index and decreased MDA in lens of oxidative damages in different levels, the effects are better than that of PS, especially in group SF and Sch B. CONCLUSION: The five natural anti-oxidants protected lens against experimental oxidative injuries very well. There are wide prospects to pursue effective anti-cataract drugs from natural anti-oxidants.

AIM: To investigate the effects of Co-SZ eye drop on galactose cataract in rats. METHODS: Based on folk remedy, SZ eye drop was made from leech, as a modified SZ eye drop, Co-SZ eye drop was enriched in Zinc and Vitamin C. In the present study, animal model of galactose cataract in SD rats was used. All animals were randomly divided into 3 groups : control group(using 0.9 % NaCl instead of SZ and Co SZ), SZ group and Co-SZ group. Lens opacities were examined dynamically in each groups via FS-3V slit-lamp microscope. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione (GSH) and soluble protein (SP) in the lenses were measured in 15 days. RESULTS: Both the Co-SZ and SZ eye drops could significantly delay and alleviate galactose cataract in rats, with better effect of Co-SZ than SZ eye drop. The antioxidant index indicated that SOD, GSH-Px, GSH in Co-SZ and SZ group were significantly higher than that in control group. Furthermore, SOD, GSH-Px in Co-SZ group were higher than that in SZ group significantly. CONCLUSION: Co-SZ eye drops could significantly delay and alleviate galactose cataract in rats, the effect is much better than SZ eye drops. The different effect between SZ and Co-SZ eye drops could be raised from the different content of Zinc, which is involved in anti-oxidation.

AIM: To investigate the effect of nitric oxide (NO) in ocular inflammation after intraocular lens implantation. METHODS: All New Zealand rabbits were divided randomly into three groups: 1. control group, 2. L-arginine (L-Arg) group, 3. N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) group. Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation (IOL) were operated in all animals of each groups. The inflammatory response of all rabbit eyes, including cornea edema and anterior chamber exudation were investigated 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 days afteroperation. Meanwhile, aqueous humor was drawn for white blood cell (WBC) counting and classifying, as well as for NO- 2/NO- 3 measurement. RESULTS:NO- 2/NO- 3 contents, total WBC and anterior chamber exudation in aqueous humor of L-Arg group were higher than that in control group. While that of L-NNA group were lower than that in control group.CONCLUSION:NO plays a role in intraocular inflammatory response after intraocular lens implantation. L-NNA, a nitric oxide synthase exhibitor, decreased NO contents, therefore it may reduce intraocular inflammatory response after intraocular lens implantation.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between the level of interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumour necrosis factor-?(TNF-?) and nitric oxide (NO) in aqueous humor after intraocular lens implantation. METHODS: New Zealand rabbits were divided randomly into three groups: (1)control group; (2)extracapsular cataract extraction group (ECCE); (3)extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation group (ECCE+IOL). The inflammation in all experimental rabbit eyes was observed via zoom-photo slit-lamp microscope on 1, 3, 7, 14 d and 30 d postoperation. Meanwhile, aqueous humor was drawn for white blood cell(WBC) counting and classifying , and for determining IL-2, TNF-? and NO 2 -/NO 3 - contents.RESULTS: (1)The level of IL-2 and TNF-? and NO 2 - / NO 3 - in aqueous humor of ECCE+IOL group were higher than that in ECCE and control at 1 to 14 days postoperation, respectively, it increased to peak value at 3 to 7 days postoperation and decreased gradually two weeks postoperation; (2) The changes in IL-2, TNF-? and NO 2 -/NO 3 - in each group were basically similer; (3) The changes of IL-2 and TNF-? level were closely related with NO content in aqueous humor( r=0.69, P

0.05).There were no signifi-cant relation between the expressions of Fas,FasL and bcl-2and IL-8.Conclusion The abnormal expressions of Fas,FasL,bcl-2may play an important role in the pathogenesis of LN.The expression of Fas and FasL may serve as active indexes for SLE and LN.The low level of IL-8may be related to the dysfunction of immunity and needs further research.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between cytokine level and nitric oxide (NO) content in aqueous humor after intraocular lens implantation. METHODS: All New Zealand rabbits were divided randomly into three groups: (1) control group, (2) extracapsular cataract extraction group (ECCE), (3) extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation group (ECCE+IOL). The inflammation of all experimental rabbit eyes, including cornea edema and anterior chamber exudation were observed via zoom-photo slitlamp microscope 1,3,7,14,30 d postoperation. Meanwhile, aqueous humor was drawn for white blood cell (WBC) counting and classifying, and for NO-2／NO-3 and cytokine assay, including interleukin-2(IL-2), tumour necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Statistics were taken by SPSS softwear. RESULTS: (1) Total WBC in aqueous humor were higher and anterior chamber exudation were more severe in ECCE+IOL group than that in ECCE group and control group. (2) The level of IL-2 and TNF-α and the content of NO-2／NO-3 in aqueous humor of ECCE+IOL group were higher than that in ECCE group and control group 1-14 d postoperation respectively, and it increased to peak value at 3-7 d postoperation and decreased gradually after two weeks postoperation. (3) The change regularity of IL-2, TNF-α and NO-2／NO-3 in each group were basically similar, i.e. when the level of cytokine (IL-2 and TNF-α) was normal, the content of NO-2／NO-3 was normal too, when the level of cytokine (IL-2 and TNF-α) increased, the content of NO-2／NO-3 increased too. CONCLUSION: The intraocular inflammation after ECCE+IOL was more severe than that after simple ECCE. NO, IL-2 and TNF-α play an important role in intraocular inflammation after intraocular lens implantation. The changes of IL-2 and TNF-α level was closely related with NO content in aqueous humor.

OBJECTIVETo observe the angiogenesis promoting effects of clinical common used Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) for activating blood circulation to remove stasis on chick embryo chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM).

METHODSChicken CAM model was established and mice blood serum containing different kinds of medicines, including Radix Peaoniae rubra, Radix Angelicae sinensis, Flos Carthami, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae, Astragalus membranaceus, and their complex prescriptions, Danggui Buxue Decoction, Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction, Xiongshao Capsule, was applied on it respectively to observe the condition of angiogenesis 72 hrs after incubation. Besides, the normal saline group, blank serum group, blank group and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) group were set up for control.

RESULTSAll the CHM applied and bFGF had the CAM angiogenetic promoting effect, among them, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae and the three complex prescriptions showed better effects than the three negative control groups in capillary formation and count, with the efficacy similar to that of bFGF. The effect of complex prescriptions was superior to that of single herb except Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae.

CONCLUSIONRadix Salviae miltiorrhizae, Danggui Buxue Decoction, Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction and Xiongshao Capsule have good angiogenesis promoting effect on CAM. This study elucidated, from a certain aspect, the mechanism of action of CHM on ischemic diseases, and unfolded the scientific evidence of applying complex prescription.

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Chick Embryo ; Chorioallantoic Membrane ; blood supply ; Chorion ; blood supply ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Random Allocation ; Salvia miltiorrhiza