Intense Pulsed Light Treatment for Itch Associated with Allergic Keratoconjunctivitis: A Retrospective Study of 35 Cases.

Objective: To conduct a preliminary assessment of intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment for allergic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC)-associated ocular itch. Background: Current control measures for AKC rely primarily on drugs. IPL is effective for dry eye disease (DED). Furthermore, phototherapy is effective for managing skin inflammation and pruritus, suggesting that eye itching could decrease in some patients having AKC complicated with DED following IPL treatment to control dry eye symptoms. Methods: Thirty-five patients having DED complicated with mid-to-severe AKC were administered three IPL treatments to the periorbital skin. The eye scores of subjective symptoms and signs of AKC and tear film breakup time (TBUT) were retrospectively assessed before and after each treatment. Results: The scores for AKC-related symptoms and signs were determined four times: on Day 1 (time 0), Day 15 (time 1), Day 45 (time 2), and Day 75 (time 3) before each treatment. The average symptom score significantly decreased with treatments (time 0: 30.97, time 1: 15.03, time 3: 10). The average sign score for both eyes decreased after the first IPL treatment (left eye: 7.97 vs. 11.38; right eye: 8.1 vs. 11.1). There were no further improvements in the signs after the last treatment. The TBUT value in the right eye increased from times 0 to 3 (2.31 vs. 4.66 vs. 7.71 vs. 7.74). The TBUT value in the left eye increased from times 0 to 3 (2.50 vs. 6.97 vs. 7.57 vs. 8.24). Conclusions: Symptoms and signs improved after IPL treatment in patients with AKC. Eye itching was gradually controlled and rarely recurred. IPL may be effective for AKC treatment.

[Effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of rats with high glucose levels].

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) on the osteogenic differentiation of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) of rats with high glucose levels. METHODS: Rat BMSCs were isolated and identified by osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Then, the BMSCs were divided into three groups as follows: normal control group (5.5 mmol·L⁻¹ glucose), high glucose group (25.5 mmol·L⁻¹ glucose), and ASP+high glucose group (25.5 mmol·L⁻¹ glucose +40 mg·L⁻¹ ASP). The proliferation activities of the BMSCs were detected by CCK8. Alizarin red staining, and alkaline phosphatase activity were used in the examination of osteogenic activity. Quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression levels of the osteogenic genes (Runx2, Osx, OCN, Col-Ⅰ) and the key factors of Wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway (CyclinD1, ß-catenin). In vivo, a type 2 diabetes rat model was established. The rats were divided into three groups, namely, the normal control group (normal rats), diabetes group (diabetic rats), diabetes+ASP group (diabetic rats, ASP feeding). Then, the tibia bone defect was established. The repair of bone defects in each group was observed through histological examination. RESULTS: The proliferation of BMSCs was higher in the high glucose group and ASP+high glucose group than in the normal control group (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between the high glucose group and ASP+high glucose group (P>0.05). The number of calcium nodules of BMSCs; alkaline phosphatase activity; and the mRNA expression of Runx2, OCN, Osx, Col-Ⅰ, CyclinD1, ß-catenin in the high glucose group were lower than those in the normal control and ASP+high glucose groups (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between the normal control and ASP+high glucose groups (P>0.05). The bone mass was significantly lower in the bone defect of the diabetes group than in the bone defect of the normal control or diabetes+ASP group (P<0.05). No statistical difference was found between the normal control and diabetes+ASP groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ASP can promote the osteogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs under high glucose culture and induce bone regeneration in rats with type 2 diabetes. These features may be related to the activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.