Lasting effects of prenatal exposure to Cannabis in the retina of the offspring: an experimental study in mice.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal exposure to Cannabis is a worldwide growing problem. Although retina is part of the central nervous system, the impact of maternal Cannabis use on the retinal development and its postnatal consequences remains unknown. As the prenatal period is potentially sensitive in the normal development of the retina, we hypothesized that recreational use of Cannabis during pregnancy may alter retina structure in the offspring. To test this, we developed a murine model that mimics human exposure in terms of dose and use. METHODS: Pregnant BalbC mice were exposed daily for 5 min to Cannabis smoke (0.2 g of Cannabis) or filtered air, from gestational day 5 to 18 (N = 10/group). After weaning period, pups were separated and examined weekly. On days 60, 120, 200, and 360 after birth, 10 pups from each group were randomly selected for Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) analysis of the retina. All retina layers were measured and inner, outer, and total retina thickness were calculated. Other 37 mice from both groups were sacrificed on days 20, 60, and 360 for retinal stereology (total volume of the retina and volume fraction of each retinal layer) and light microscopy. Means and standard deviations were calculated and MANOVA was performed. RESULTS: The retina of animals which mother was exposed to Cannabis during gestation was 17% thinner on day 120 (young adult) than controls (P = 0.003) due to 21% thinning of the outer retina (P = 0.001). The offspring of mice from the exposed group presented thickening of the IS/OS in comparison to controls on day 200 (P < 0.001). In the volumetric analyzes by retinal stereology, the exposed mice presented transitory increase of the IS/OS total volume and volume fraction on day 60 (young adult) compared to controls (P = 0.008 and P = 0.035, respectively). On light microscopy, exposed mice presented thickening of the IS/OS on day 360 (adult) compared to controls (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Gestational exposure to Cannabis smoke may cause structural changes in the retina of the offspring that return to normal on mice adulthood. These experimental evidences suggest that children and young adults whose mothers smoked Cannabis during pregnancy may require earlier and more frequent clinical care than the non-exposed population.

[Comparative analysis of the donor cornea quality and of the interval between death and preservation before and after new sanitary and technique rules in a University Eye Bank]. / Análise da qualidade das córneas doadas e do intervalo entre óbito, enucleação e preservação após a implantação de novas normas técnicas e sanitárias em Banco de Olhos Universitário.

PURPOSE: To compare the interval between death and enucleation (ΔT-O-E), between enucleation and preservation (ΔT-E-P) and the quality of the cornea before and after the implantation of new technique and sanitary rules. METHODS: A retrospective study that evaluated the records of cornea donors in Sao Paulo's Santa Casa Eye Tissue Bank 2 years before and 2 years after the implementation new sanitary rules. RESULTS: An increase was observed in the absolute number of 205 to 374 donors following the adopted changes. There was no statistically significant difference in Δt-O-E and ΔT-E-P before and after the implemented changes. Of the total of 1,105 donor corneas, 388 donor corneas were observed before the changes and 717 donor corneas after the implemented changes. We observed a statistically significant increase in grading of donor cornea quality from 1.76 ± 0.90 to 1.94 ± 0.88 after the implementation of new standards of resolution. CONCLUSION: After the changes required by Resolution 347, there was a large increase in the number of donated, taken and preserved corneas. The BTO has not diminished the ΔT O-E and ΔT E-P. Cornea quality presented itself lower after the new rules.

Análise da qualidade das córneas doadas e do intervalo entre óbito, enucleação e preservação após a implantação de novas normas técnicas e sanitárias em Banco de Olhos Universitário / Comparative analysis of the donor cornea quality and of the interval between death and preservation before and after new sanitary and technique rules in a University Eye Bank

OBJETIVO: Comparar o intervalo entre o óbito e a enucleação (ΔT-O-E), entre a enucleação e a preservação (ΔT-E-P) e a qualidade da córnea antes e após a implantação de novas normas técnicas e sanitárias baseadas na Resolução RDC 347. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo em que foram avaliados os prontuários dos doadores de córnea do Banco de Tecidos Oculares da Santa Casa de São Paulo, 2 anos antes e 2 anos depois da implementação de novas normas sanitárias. RESULTADOS: Foi observado aumento do número absoluto de 205 para 374 doadores após as mudanças adotadas. Não foi observada diferença estatisticamente significante no Δt-O-E e ΔT-E-P antes e após as mudanças implantadas. Do total de 1.105 córneas doadas, foi observado 388 córneas doadas antes das mudanças e 717 córneas doadas após as mudanças implementadas. Foi observado aumento estatisticamente significante da graduação da qualidade da córnea doada de 1,76 ± 0,90 para 1,94 ± 0,88 após a implementação das novas normas da Resolução. CONCLUSÃO: Após as mudanças técnicas e sanitárias exigidas pela Resolução 347, houve grande aumento no número de córneas doadas, captadas e preservadas. O Banco de Tecidos Oculares não diminuiu os ΔT O-E e ΔT E-P. A qualidade da córnea apresentou-se inferior após as mudanças realizadas no setor.

PURPOSE: To compare the interval between death and enucleation (ΔT-O-E), between enucleation and preservation (ΔT-E-P) and the quality of the cornea before and after the implantation of new technique and sanitary rules. METHODS: A retrospective study that evaluated the records of cornea donors in Sao Paulo's Santa Casa Eye Tissue Bank 2 years before and 2 years after the implementation new sanitary rules. RESULTS: An increase was observed in the absolute number of 205 to 374 donors following the adopted changes. There was no statistically significant difference in Δt-O-E and ΔT-E-P before and after the implemented changes. Of the total of 1,105 donor corneas, 388 donor corneas were observed before the changes and 717 donor corneas after the implemented changes. We observed a statistically significant increase in grading of donor cornea quality from 1.76 ± 0.90 to 1.94 ± 0.88 after the implementation of new standards of resolution. CONCLUSION: After the changes required by Resolution 347, there was a large increase in the number of donated, taken and preserved corneas. The BTO has not diminished the ΔT O-E and ΔT E-P. Cornea quality presented itself lower after the new rules.