The Cytokines-Directed Roles of Spirulina for Radioprotection of Lacrimal Gland.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radioprotective effect of spirulina (SP) on the lacrimal glands after RAI treatment. METHODS: A total of 30 rats were separated into control, RAI and SP group. The radioprotective effect of SP on lacrimal glands was evaluated with histopathological and cytopathological analysis. Lacrimal glands were analyzed for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels. RESULTS: RAI increased TNF-α (p = .001), IL-6 (p = .018), and NF-κB levels (p < .0005). Following the administration of SP, TNF-α (p < .0005), IL-4 (p = .026), and IL-6 (p = .006) levels decreased. RAI decreased the TAC levels (p = .001), and co-administration of SP increased the TAC level, but was not statistically significant. SP decreased the TOS level after RAI (p = .022)                . CONCLUSIONS: SP protects lacrimal glands from RAI-induced damage.

Resuturing after penetrating keratoplasty without trauma: Indications and results.

PURPOSE: To determine the indications, frequency, influential factors and clinical outcomes of resuturing in an atraumatic setting after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). METHODS: Medical records of all patients who underwent resuturing in the absence of traumatic wound dehiscences after PK between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2015 were reviewed. The cases were divided into 2 groups: patients with suture-related problems underwent mandatory resuturing (mandatory group), and patients with post-PK ectasia or a progressive increase in K values and surgically induced astigmatism underwent optional resuturing (Optional group). Patient demographics and surgical indications for PK, reasons for and frequency of resuturing, time between PK and resuturing, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: The frequency of resuturing was 9.03% (59 of 633), and the mean age was 39.15±17.80 years. The most common indication for PK was keratoconus (42.4%) and the interval between PK and resuturing ranged from 0.03 to 32 months. The underlying cause leading to resuturing was suture-related problems in 43 eyes (72.9%), development of ectasia or progressive steepening of the K values and surgically induced astigmatism in 16 eyes (27.1%). The mean visual acuity increased, the K value and astigmatism decreased significantly following resuturing in both the mandatory group and the Optional group (P≤0.2). The decrease in astigmatism and K values was more marked in the Optional group, as expected (P≤0.001). CONCLUSION: While resuturing is essential in order to obtain wound integrity in the setting of dehiscence, it is effective in terms of achieving higher visual acuities and lower astigmatism and K values in high astigmatism and post-PK ectasia cases.

Assessment of myocardial ischaemia using tissue Doppler imaging in pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

PURPOSE: Pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome is characterized by the widespread deposition of abnormal extracellular fibrillary material on many ocular and extraocular tissues. We aimed to investigate the association between PEX syndrome and subclinical myocardial ischaemia, using tissue Doppler echocardiography. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (mean age: 66±9 years, 22 men) and 25 healthy individuals (mean age: 67±8 years, 13 men) were included in the study. Patients with overt coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and left ventricular hypertrophy were excluded from the study. Tissue Doppler imaging was performed at the septal, lateral, anterior, and inferior mitral annuluses. Differences between the groups were evaluated by the unpaired t-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test, with a P-value of <0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Baseline clinical characteristics, two-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiography parameters were similar in the PEX and control groups. Peak systolic velocities at the septal, lateral, anterior, and inferior annuluses were significantly lower in patients with PEX syndrome (P<0.001, 0.01, 0.02, and 0.02, respectively). The early diastolic velocity at the septal annulus, and the ratio of early/late diastolic velocity at the lateral annulus were significantly lower in the study group (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: PEX syndrome is a common disorder of extracellular matrix. Our data suggest that there may also be an association between PEX syndrome and subclinical myocardial ischaemia in patients who have no signs and symptoms of ischaemia. Thus, we think that ophthalmologists should consider informing their PEX syndrome patients' general practitioners about a possible cardiac risk.