Neferine inhibits epidermal growth factor-induced proliferation and migration of retinal pigment epithelial cells through downregulating p38 MAPK and PI3K/AKT signalling.

Purpose: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) occurs in approximately 5-10% of patients after retinal detachment surgery. Neferine is a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid found in the green seed embryos (Nelumbo nucifera) of the lotus flower and has various properties, such as being antithrombotic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anticancerous, and anti-inflammatory. Although the effects of neferine on the proliferation and migration of cancer cells have been partially shown, their possible role and the mechanism of action on PVR remain unclear.Materials and methods: To mimic a PVR model in vitro, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were exposed to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and treated with various concentrations of neferine. Cell viability was determined by MTT test. Cell-cycle phase distribution and cell migration were examined by image-based cytometry and wound healing test, respectively. Messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blotting, respectively.Results: Stimulation of the cells with EGF significantly increased the rate of proliferation, whilst treatment with low concentrations of neferine-reduced proliferation to a level equal to that seen in untreated cells. Neferine significantly downregulated EGF-increased cell viability, and survivin mRNA expression was depressed to the basal level. In addition, neferine treatment contributed to cell proliferation loss by upregulating p21 and p27 expression leading to cycle arrest at the G1 phase. The treatment significantly inhibited cell migration by upregulating the expression of epithelial markers, such as E-cadherin and occludin, and decreased MMP2, MMP9, α-SMA, and vimentin. Neferine treatment markedly reduced phosphotidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K), AKT, p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) protein expression.Conclusion: It can be considered that neferine may be a potential candidate molecule in the treatment of PVR by inhibiting cell proliferation and the migration of EGF-induced RPE cells through the modulation of various transcriptional activities.

Optical biometry-based axial length alterations after intravitreal dexamethasone implant.

PURPOSE: To investigate changes in axial length after intravitreal dexamethasone implantation in patients with macular edema. METHODS: We performed a prospective comparative study of 46 patients with unilateral macular edema, due to diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and non-infectious uveitis, who underwent dexamethasone implantation. The fellow eyes of the patients were considered the control group. The central macular thickness was measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and axial length was measured by IOLMaster 700 optical coherence biometry. We compared axial length and central macular thickness values within the groups. RESULTS: In the study group, the baseline central macular thickness was 460.19 ± 128.64 mm, significantly decreasing to 324.00 ± 79.84 mm after dexamethasone implantation (p=0.000). No significant change in central macular thickness measurements was seen in the control group (p=0.244). In the study group, the baseline axial length was 23.16 ± 0.68 mm, significantly increasing to 23.22 ± 0.65 mm after dexamethasone implantation (p=0.039). However, the control group exhibited no significant change in axial length (p=0.123). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to significantly reducing central macular thickness measurements, intravitreal dexamethasone implantation also significantly changes optical biometry-based axial length measurements.

Evaluation of Axial Length Changes after Combined Phacovitrectomy for Macula-off Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reliability of optical biometry for correct intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation in eyes with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) via comparing the axial lengths (AL) measured with optical biometry preoperatively and postoperatively. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted with 25 eyes of 25 patients who underwent combined surgery (phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV)) with the diagnosis of RRD with macular involvement. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), biomicroscopic examination, intraocular pressure measurement and full fundoscopic examination were performed in all patients. Axial length was measured using optical biometry in all patients. The AL measurements were repeated in the postoperative third month in the patients using gas tamponade during vitreoretinal surgery and in the third month after the silicone oil removal in patients using silicone-oil tamponade during vitreoretinal surgery. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 61.60±7.33. Fifteen patients (60%) were female, and 10 (40%) were male. Postoperative BCVA values (0.40±0.28) were significantly higher than the preoperative BCVA values (0.14±0.22) (p<0.05). The preoperative mean value of AL was measured as 24.66±1.90 and the postoperative mean value of AL was 24.67±1.91. There was no statistically significant difference between the measured AL values in the preoperative and postoperative periods (p=0.258). CONCLUSION: Combined surgery (phacoemulsification and PPV) is a frequently applied method in RRD treatment. The correct AL measurement is important for the removal of refractive errors due to AL measurement in patients with macula-off RRD. Optical biometry provides accurate results in these cases.

An innovation in glaucoma surgery: XEN45 gel stent implantation.

PURPOSE: To report follow-up data for patients who underwent XEN45 gel stent implantation, a new method of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. METHODS: Fifteen eyes in fifteen patients who underwent XEN45 gel stent implantation surgery were investigated in the study. All patients were examined preoperatively and at the following postoperative time points: 1 day; 1 and 2 weeks; and 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured via Goldmann applanation tonometry. Combined surgical procedures (XEN45 + phacoemulsification + intraocular lens) were performed in patients who that had cataracts in addition to glaucoma. RESULTS: The mean IOP values were significantly lower than the preoperative values at all postoperative visits (p<0.001). In two patients, the IOP exceeded 20 mmHg 12 months after surgery. These IOP increases were controlled by medical therapy, and none of the patients needed another surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: XEN45 gel stent implantation is a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery that ensures the effective reduction of IOP. This new treatment modality also avoids the destructive complications encountered in other invasive surgical procedures. However, further studies with greater numbers of patients and longer follow-up periods are needed to clarify certain points.

Central Retinal Artery Occlusion in Takayasu's Arteritis as the First Presentation of the Disease.

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory granulomatous vasculitis which affects large and medium arterial vessels. The disease involves especially subclavian arteries and aortic branches but it can consist of any arteries. The major pathology is granulomatous panarteritis with intima proliferation and defects of the elastic lamina of the vessels. We present a case of central retinal artery occlusion in TA as the first presentation of the disease. To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first case that demonstrates central retinal artery occlusion as an initial manifestation in TA. A 48-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic with the complaint of sudden and painless vision loss in her right eye for one day. Although retinal artery involvement is a very rare presentation in TA, it is important to recall TA particularly in young patients with retinal artery occlusion.