Dry Eye is one of the most common eye disorders. Although this occurs in both men and women at any age, women in their menopausic years are often afflicted with this condition. This may be due to the loss of hormonal support after menopause. The purpose of this study is to determine the tear function of menopausic women and also to determine whether there is a correlation between advancing age and tear function. 62 menopausic women between the ages of 55-78 years underwent four different types of tear function tests (Schirmer Test, Tear Breakup Time, Vital Staining with Fluorescein Dye and the Ferning Test). These women were not under any type of medication. Results showed that in both the Schirmer Test and the Tear Breakup Time Test, there was a significant decrease in the tear function as age progressed. Although there were no statistically significant changes in the corneal uptake with increasing age, it was noted that the number of subjects with significant fluorescein dye uptake increased in the older age group. Likewise, there was no significant change in the Ferning test although a decreasing trend in the ferning pattern was observed as the age progressed. Based on the data collected, menopause and aging play a vital role in the development of dry eyes. Although the actual process remains uncertain, this can be attributed to the changes in the sex hormonal levels in menopausic women. (Author)
Human ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; HUMANS ; FEMALE ; POSTMENOPAUSE ; TEARS/CHEMISTRY ; LACRIMAL APPARATUS ; DRY EYE SYNDROME

No abstract available.
Animal ; Anions/metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Chloride Channels/genetics* ; Chloride Channels/analysis* ; Gene Expression/physiology ; Lacrimal Apparatus/cytology ; Lacrimal Apparatus/chemistry* ; RNA, Messenger/analysis ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Submandibular Gland/cytology ; Submandibular Gland/chemistry*

Exploring the influence of extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGB) on the proliferation, apoptosis of ACC-2 cell in lacrimal adenoid cystic carcinoma and analyzing the influence of EGB on the gene expression of Survivin and TIP30 based on the levels of the gene and protein. ACC-2 cell in human with ACC of lacrimal gland disposed by EGB of different concentration was in vitro cultured. MTT method was used for cell proliferation detection. Annexin V/PI double-staining flow cytometer was used to detect cell apoptosis and cell cycle. Survivin and TIP30 gene expression together with protein expression were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. And it is indicated that EGB has inhibitory effect on the proliferation of ACC-2 cell in vitro. Furthermore, the dose-effect relationship was significant. Compared with the control group, it had statistical difference (P <0.01). The inhibitory concentration 50% (ICso) is 88 mg . L-1. By flow cytometer examination, it was indicated that EGB can gradually increase ACC-2 cell in G0-G1 stage and decrease it in G2-M and S stage. With the increase of dose, the apoptosis rate of ACC-2 cell obviously increased (P <0.05 or P <0.01). Both of the expression results of RT-PCR and Western hybrid proteins have showed that the concentration of EGB increased, it could be seen a significant decrease in Survivin gene expression (P <0.01). Meanwhile, the TIP30 gene expression got a significant increase. Therefore, EGB can effectively inhibit ACC-2 cell Survivin gene expression in human with adenoid cysistic carcinoma of larcrimal gland as well as promoting TIP30 gene expression, inducing the ACC-2 cell apoptosis and inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, which provided a certain theoretical and experimental basis for the application of Chinese herbal medicinal ingredient in the treatment of tumors.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; drug therapy ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Gene Expression ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of the extract of Buddleja officinalis eye drops (EBOED) on basic tears secretory volume, tear film stability, and expressions of androgen receptors (AR) in castrated rats with dry eye, and to investigate the mechanism of EBOED on dry eye caused by decreased anti-androgen levels.

METHODSForty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the blank group, the model group, and the treatment group (treated by EBOED), respectively. Rats in each group were further divided into three sub-groups (fed for one month, two months, and three months, respectively). There were totally nine groups, with five in each. The dry eye model was established with orchiectomy of rats in the model group and the treatment group. EBOED was given to rats in the treatment group for one successive month. Schirmer I test (SIT) and breakup time of tear film (BUT) were determined in all experimental rats. Expressions of AR was analyzed by flow cytometer.

RESULTSThs SIT value, BUT, and AR positive rate in the model group at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd month were lower than those in the blank group of the same time points (P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in SIT value, BUT, and AR positive rate between the model group and the treatment group at the three time points (P < 0.01). Take the three-month subgroup as an example, the SIT value in the treatment group was (12.667 +/- 5.221) mm, obviously higher than that in the model group (2.676 +/- 1.987) mm. The BUT in the treatment group was (11.758 +/- 4.415) s, obviously longer than that of the model group (4.667 +/- 2.108) s. The AR positive rate in the treatment group was 49.33% +/- 3.44%, obviously higher than that of the model group (33.32% +/- 7.12%, all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe main components of EBOED was the flavonoids which could significantly inhibit the occurrence of dry eye in rats with decreased androgen levels. Its mechanism might possibly be similar to androgen.

Animals ; Buddleja ; chemistry ; Dry Eye Syndromes ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Flavones ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; metabolism ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Androgen ; metabolism

This study was performed to evaluate the changes of tear film and ocular surface caused by smoking. Symptom scoring, tear film break-up time (BUT), basal tear secretion test, corneal sensitivity test, keratoepitheliopathy scoring, and conjunctival impression cytology were performed in 29 smokers (58 eyes) and 26 non-smokers (52 eyes). Tear film BUT, basal tear secretion, corneal sensitivity, and squamous metaplasia were 7.71 +/- 2.66 sec, 6.29 +/- 2.85 mm, 53.69 +/- 5.69 mm, and 2.45 +/- 1.26 in smokers and 9.62 +/- 3.14 sec, 10.04 +/- 3.87 mm, 56.46 +/- 4.79 mm, and 1.12 +/- 0.83 in non-smokers, respectively (p< 0.05). Symptom score, keratoepitheliopathy score, and goblet cell density were not significantly different between the two groups. Tear film BUT was shorter, basal tear secretion and corneal sensitivity were lower, and squamous metaplasia was higher in heavy smokers than in light smokers. In conclusion, smoking deteriorates the tear film and ocular surface with decreased quantity and quality of tear film, decreased corneal sensitivity, and squamous metaplasia, and this deterioration is related to the amount of smoking.
Adult ; Aged ; Cell Count ; Conjunctiva/*metabolism/pathology ; Cornea/*metabolism/pathology ; Epithelial Cells/pathology ; Goblet Cells/metabolism/pathology ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus/*metabolism/physiopathology ; Male ; Metaplasia ; Middle Aged ; Smoking/*metabolism/physiopathology ; Tears/chemistry/*secretion

Triple A syndrome is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the achalasia-addisonianism-alacrima syndrome (AAAS) gene which encodes a tryptophan aspartic acid (WD) repeat-containing protein named alacrima-achalasia-adrenal insufficiency neurologic disorder (ALADIN). Northern blot analysis shows that the 2.1 kb AAAS mRNA is expressed in various tissues with stronger expression in testis and pancreas. We show that human ALADIN is a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 60 kDa, and expressed in the adrenal gland, pituitary gland and pancreas. Furthermore, biochemical analysis using anti-ALADIN antibody supports the previous finding of the localization of ALADIN in the nuclear membrane. The mutations S544G and S544X show that alteration of S544 residue affects correct targeting of ALADIN to the nuclear membrane.
Adrenal Insufficiency/*genetics ; Antibodies/immunology ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary/genetics ; Esophageal Achalasia/*genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Hela Cells ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases/*genetics ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/*analysis/*genetics/immunology ; Nuclear Pore/chemistry ; Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins/*analysis/*genetics/immunology ; RNA, Messenger/analysis/genetics ; Syndrome ; Tissue Distribution