Protective effects of Scoparia dulcis L. extract on high glucose-induced injury in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of vision loss in diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and the accumulation of inflammatory factors result in blood-retinal barrier dysfunction and the pathogenesis of DR. Scoparia dulcis L. extract (SDE), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been recently recognized for its various pharmacological effects, including anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative activities. However, there is no relevant research on the protective effect of SDE in DR. In this study, we treated high glucose (50 mM) in human retinal epithelial cells (ARPE-19) with different concentrations of SDE and analyzed cell viability, apoptosis, and ROS production. Moreover, we analyzed the expression of Akt, Nrf2, catalase, and HO-1, which showed that SDE dose-dependently reduced ROS production and attenuated ARPE-19 cell apoptosis in a high-glucose environment. Briefly, we demonstrated that SDE exhibited an anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory ability in protecting retinal cells from high-glucose (HG) treatment. Moreover, we also investigated the involvement of the Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in SDE-mediated protective effects. The results suggest SDE as a nutritional supplement that could benefit patients with DR.

Systemic Alpha1-Adrenoceptor Antagonists and Increased Risk of Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Purpose: To examine the risk of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) among patients receiving alpha1-adrenoceptor (α1-AR) antagonists for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Methods: This was a nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study from Asia/Taiwan. One million beneficiaries were randomly sampled from among 27.38 million individuals enrolled in the National Health Insurance program, and subjects with a diagnosis of LUTS from 2001 to 2012 were identified (N = 105,341). After 1:1 propensity score matching by gender, age, comorbid medical diseases, number of all medical visits during the observational period, and index date, 4081 patients were enrolled in the study group, comprised of patients who had taken α1-AR antagonists, and 4081 patients were enrolled in the control group, comprised of patients who had never taken α1-AR antagonists. The incidence and risk of OAG (defined as two ambulatory visits with a ICD-9 diagnosis code 365, excluding ICD-9 diagnosis codes 365.2-365.6, 365.02, 365.03, 365.13, 365.14, and 365.8) were calculated. Results: Patients taking α1-AR antagonists had a higher incidence ratio of 1.86 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-2.65) for developing OAG. After adjusting for age, gender, and comorbidities, the hazard ratio (HR) for OAG for patients taking α1-AR antagonists was 1.66 (95% CI, 1.16-2.39; P = 0.006). Among patients with hypertension, the hazard ratio for OAG associated with taking α1-AR antagonists increased to 1.79 (95% CI, 1.07-2.99; P = 0.003). On the other hand, the association of α1-AR antagonists with OAG was not significant among patients with diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, or older age. Conclusions: The findings of our study suggest an increased risk for OAG among patients taking α1-AR antagonists for LUTS, especially in patients with hypertension.

Sequential changes to intraocular lens dislocation caused by vigorous ocular massage: A case report.

RATIONALE: Although intraocular lens (IOL) dislocations have been reported after uneventful cataract surgeries, no sequential changes have ever been demonstrated. Our case showed the sequential changes to IOL dislocation caused by vigorous ocular massage. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 42-year-old man complained of blurred vision in the left eye 8 years after uneventful phacoemulsification. The IOL was still well-centered, but curvilinear tears of the anterior and posterior capsule along the optic border of IOL and vitreous herniation were noted. In the following month, the IOL subluxated inferiorly. A careful history taking revealed a recent habit of vigorous ocular massage. The subluxation was stable for 2 years after avoiding ocular massage, but dislocation into vitreous occurred after taking a spring water bath (spa) bath with massage. DIAGNOSIS: IOL dislocation. INTERVENTIONS: Pars plana vitrectomy to remove the dislocated IOL and implantation of a 3-piece IOL into sulcus were performed. OUTCOMES: The IOL was well-centered. The visual acuity returned to 20/20. LESSONS: Ocular massage might cause tear of the intact fibrotic capsule and dislocation of IOL. The capsule along the border of the optics might be a weak point against ocular massage.