LMWH inhibits anterior chamber inflammation after extra capsular lens extraction through down regulation of bFGF content in aqueous humor.

AIM: To observe the changes of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) content in anterior chamber before and after extra capsular lens extraction for investigating the mechanism of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) inhibiting anterior chamber inflammation. METHODS: Eighty-four rabbits were randomly divided into control and experimental group, 42 rabbits in each group. Extra capsular lens extraction was done on unilateral eye in each rabbit. LMWH was perfused into anterior chamber by the concentration of 50U/mL at the end of operation in experimental group. The degrees of corneal edema, aqueous flare and fibrin were evaluated with slit lamp microscope on postoperative day 1, 3, 6, 15, 30, 45 and 60, respectively. Six eyes of each group were at each time point. Contents of bFGF in aqueous humor were determined by ELISA after animals were killed. Another six eyes were used for determining the base line level of bFGF in aqueous humor. RESULTS: The degrees of corneal edema, aqueous flare and fibrin in experimental group were significantly lighter than those in control group (P<0.01) on postoperative day 1, 3 and 6, respectively. No difference was showed between the two groups at other point time. Contents of bFGF in aqueous humor increased at the same time. bFGF content reached peak on postoperative day 1 in experimental group, while on postoperative day 6 in control group. Contents of bFGF in the two groups declined slowly after reaching peak. The bFGF content in control group were significantly higher than that in experimental group 1-30 days after surgery (P<0.05). No significant differences were shown between the two groups on postoperative day 45 and 60, respectively. CONCLUSION: Perfusion with LMWH by the concentration of 50U/mL can significantly reduce anterior chamber inflammation after extra capsular lens extraction in rabbits, which may be related to down regulation of bFGF content in aqueous humor.

[Comparative research of the efficacy of the gatifloxacin and levofloxacin for bacterial conjunctivitis in human eyes].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the different efficacy and safety to the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis between the fluoroquinolone antibiotics gatifloxacin and levofloxacin. METHODS: A multi-centre, random, double-blind and control trial was performed in six centers including Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Henan Eye Institute, Eye Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical College, the First Affiliated Hospital Of Nanjing Medical University, Xijing Hospital Affiliated to the Fourth Military Medical University, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between August 2006 and October 2007. The levofloxacin was set as the efficient control. Two hundred and thirty-five patients (235 eyes) that diagnosed as bacterial conjunctivitis were randomly divided into two groups by the method of randomized blocks, the test group (gatifloxacin) had 118 eyes and the control (levofloxacin) group had 117 eyes. The drug delivery into conjunctival sac was performed at a 7-day period (two drops per time, eight times per day at the first two days and two drops per time, four times per day at the following 5 days). All participants were given the conjunctival sac germ culture and drug sensitive test before and after the study. The combination score of signs and symptoms and evaluation of safety were conducted at the pre-delivery day, the (4 ± 1) and (7 ± 1) delivery day. The statistic analysis was conducted by CMH χ(2) test, Pearson χ(2) test and Fisher's exact probabilities test. RESULTS: The efficacy of the two groups was 94.0% (110/117 eyes) in gatifloxacin group and 93.8% (106/113 eyes) in levofloxacin group with no significant difference (χ(2) = 0.052, P = 0.8201). There was also no difference in the bacteria clearance between the two groups [gatifloxacin versus levofloxacin, 94.1% (80/85 eyes) versus 92.5% (74/80 eyes), P = 0.3470]. The decrease of combination score of signs and symptoms at the (4 ± 1) delivery day was 4.436 ± 2.310 in the gatifloxacin group and 3.814 ± 1.962 in the levofloxacin group, the difference of which was significant (F = 7.280, P = 0.0075). This trend was also proved at the (7 ± 1) delivery day (gatifloxacin versus levofloxacin, 7.487 ± 2.821 versus 6.912 ± 2.911, F = 4.060, P = 0.0452). The visual acuity and the tolerance after local application of the eye drops between the two groups had no difference (the visual acuity F = 1.04, P = 0.3080; the tolerance after local admission χ(2) = 0.1372, P = 0.7111). According to the result of the germ culture, the major pathogenic bacteria were Gram-positive bacteria (totally 20 kinds of Gram-positive bacteria and 8 kinds of Gram-negative bacteria). The MIC and drug resistance of gatifloxacin to the Gram-positive bacteria was lower than that of the levofloxacin (Staphylococcus Epidermidis, Staphylococcus Aureus, coagulase negative Staphylococcus, α-hemolytic Streptococcus). CONCLUSIONS: The gatifloxacin eye drop has a good therapeutic effect to the bacterial conjunctivitis. It can effectively clear the pathogen with fast and strong effect. Moreover, it has a low MIC in vitro, advance a prospect in drug resistance, safety and ocular tolerance.

[The role of specific ROCK inhibitor in the prevention of experimental PVR in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of Y27632, a specific inhibitor of p160 Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase (ROCK), on experimental rabbit PVR. METHODS: Cultured rabbit retinal pigment epithelial cells were used in the experiments. The effects of Y27632 on RPE alpha-SMA (smooth muscle actin) stress fiber formation were studied by immuno-fluorescent staining. An in vitro type I collagen gel contraction assay and MTT assay were used to detect the effect of Y27632 on RPE cell contractile force and proliferation. Cultured 6 th passage rabbit RPE cells were injected intravitreally to induce the PVR model and then followed injection of 50 micromol/L of Y27632. The presence of tractional retinal detachment (TRD) was assessed to evaluate the effect of this agent in vivo. Electroretinography and histological studies were performed after intravitreal injection of Y27632 into untreated eyes to evaluate toxicity. RESULTS: The results showed that Y27632 disrupted SMA stress fiber formation in the cultured RPE cells and impaired contractile force generated by RPE cells (t = 16.212, P < 0.01). Development of TRD was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) with 50 micromol/L of Y27632. No obvious histological or retinal functional damage was found in the Y27632-treated group. CONCLUSION: p160 ROCK specific inhibitor Y27632 decreased contractile force generated by RPE cells and attenuated PVR without significant side effect in rabbit. This reagent could be potential therapeutically method in the treatment of PVR.