OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficiency of Spanishneedles Herb eye drops in treating perimenopausal xerophthalmia in rabbits.

METHODTotally 36 rabbits (36 right eyes) were ovariectomized, and 2 months later divided into three groups: the experimental group (group A, n = 12) given Spanishneedles Herb eye drops, the control group (group B, n = 12) given PBS and the model group (group C, n = 12) given no drug. The Schirmer I test (SIT), fluorescent (FL), total tear protein, diastase activity, lactoferrin and lysozyme contents and confocal scanning microscopy were performed at before the treatment and at 1 w, 2 w, 1 mo, 2 mo after the treatment.

RESULTBefore the treatment, There was no significant difference in SIT, FL, total tear protein, lysozyme, lactoferrin and amylase activity between two groups. Two months later after the treatment, both the group B and the group A showed differences degrees of changes in SIT, FL, total tear protein, lysozyme, lactoferrin and amylase activity compared with that before the treatment, with statistical differences (P < 0.05); At each time point, both groups revealed statistical differences in SIT, FL, total tear protein, lysozyme, lactoferrin and amylase activity (1 < 0.05). Two months later alter the treatment, densities of basal epithelial cells and inflammatory cells in the group A were (4 122 ±416) cells/mm2 and (339 ± 131) cells/mm2, while that in the group B were (3 343 ± 424) cells/mm2 and (49 ± 17) cells/mm2, with statistical differences between them (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSpanishneedles Herb eye drops could effectively treat perimenopausal xerophthalmia in rabbit caused by sex hormones decline.

Animals ; Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; administration & dosage ; Perimenopause ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Tears ; secretion ; Xerophthalmia ; drug therapy ; 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