Topical Brazilian propolis improves corneal wound healing and inflammation in rats following alkali burns.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the Brazilian Scaptotrigona sp propolis, a widely used folk medicine, in corneal wound healing and inflammation. METHODS: Corneal epithelial defects of 1 mm in diameter were made in the right eyes of Wistar male adult rats by cauterization with silver nitrate sticks. Subsequently, they were divided in two groups (n = 40 rats/group): Brazilian propolis (BP) group was topically treated with a microemulsion containing 1% Brazilian propolis; vehicle (VH) group received the same formulation without propolis. The epithelial defect area was photographed and measured at t = 0 (wound induction), and after 12, 24, 48 and 120 h of treatment. The inflammatory response was evaluated based on counting of neutrophils. Epithelial regeneration rates were determined based on Ki-67 expression in basal epithelial cells. Comparisons were made using the Kruskal-Wallis and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The BP group presented both smaller epithelial defect areas at 12, 24 and 48 h and fewer corneal infiltrating neutrophils at 24 and 48 h (P < 0.01) than the VH group. These effects were associated with more pervasive Ki-67 staining in the BP group at 12 and 24 h (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Topically applied BP accelerated wound healing and reduced the inflammatory response to silver nitrate-induced corneal alkali burns in rats.

Conjunctival inflammation in patients under topical glaucoma treatment with indication to surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the frequency of conjunctival HLA-DR expression (a surrogate marker for inflammation) in eyes treated with topical prostaglandin analogues versus eyes treated with other topical antiglaucomatous drugs. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma presenting indication for trabeculectomy were divided in groups according to the use or not of prostaglandin analogues. All subjects were treated with the maximum tolerated dose of antiglaucomatous drugs until the date of the surgery. At the beginning of the surgical procedure, a 5 x 5 mm biopsy of the bulbar conjunctiva was collected, incubated with monoclonal anti-HLA-DR antibody and processed for histological analysis. RESULTS: Of the 31 eyes included (31 patients), 25 were under topical prostaglandin analogues (Group 1) and six under other topical pharmacological agents (Group 2). Fourteen eyes of Group 1 (56%) and three of Group 2 (50 %) were positive for the inflammatory marker HLA-DR (P=1.0). The percentage of stained cells ranged from 15.49 to 48.09% (median: 27.61) in Group 1, and from 18.35 to 28 (median: 20.71) in Group 2, with no differences statistically significant (p=0.33). CONCLUSION: The use of prostaglandin analogues did not increase conjunctival expression of HLA-DR compared to other topical antiglaucomatous agents.

Conjunctival inflammation in patients under topical glaucoma treatment with indication to surgery / Inflamação conjuntival em pacientes em tratamento tópico para glaucoma com indicação de cirurgia

PURPOSE: To compare the frequency of conjunctival HLA-DR expression (a surrogate marker for inflammation) in eyes treated with topical prostaglandin analogues versus eyes treated with other topical antiglaucomatous drugs. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma presenting indication for trabeculectomy were divided in groups according to the use or not of prostaglandin analogues. All subjects were treated with the maximum tolerated dose of antiglaucomatous drugs until the date of the surgery. At the beginning of the surgical procedure, a 5 x 5 mm biopsy of the bulbar conjunctiva was collected, incubated with monoclonal anti-HLA-DR antibody and processed for histological analysis. RESULTS: Of the 31 eyes included (31 patients), 25 were under topical prostaglandin analogues (Group 1) and six under other topical pharmacological agents (Group 2). Fourteen eyes of Group 1 (56%) and three of Group 2 (50 %) were positive for the inflammatory marker HLA-DR (P=1.0). The percentage of stained cells ranged from 15.49 to 48.09% (median: 27.61) in Group 1, and from 18.35 to 28 (median: 20.71) in Group 2, with no differences statistically significant (p=0.33). CONCLUSION: The use of prostaglandin analogues did not increase conjunctival expression of HLA-DR compared to other topical antiglaucomatous agents.

OBJETIVO: Comparar a frequência da expressão conjuntival de HLA-DR (marcador inflamatório) em olhos tratados com análogos de prostaglandinas de uso tópico com a frequência em olhos tratados com outros medicamentos. MÉTODOS: Pacientes com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto apresentando indicação de trabeculectomia foram agrupados segundo o uso ou não de análogos de prostaglandinas. Todos os participantes foram tratados com medicação máxima tolerada até o momento da cirurgia. Ao início do procedimento cirúrgico, uma biópsia de 5 x 5 mm da conjuntiva bulbar foi coletada, incubada com anticorpo monoclonal anti-HLA-DR e processada para análise histológica RESULTADOS: Dentre os 31 olhos incluídos (31 pacientes), 25 estavam em uso de análogos de prostaglandinas (Grupo 1) e seis em uso de outros agentes antiglaucomatosos (Grupo 2). Quatorze olhos do Grupo 1 (56%) e três do Grupo 2 (50%) apresentaram positividade para o marcador HLA-DR (p=1,0). A porcentagem de células coradas variou de 15,49 a 48,09% (mediana: 27,61%) no Grupo 1 e de 18,35 a 28% (mediana: 20,71%) no Grupo 2, com diferenças não estatisticamente significativas (p=0,33). CONCLUSÃO: O uso de análogos de prostaglandinas não aumenta a expressão conjuntival de HLA-DR comparado com outros medicamentos tópicos para o tratamento de glaucoma.

Immunohistochemical expression of HLA-DR in the conjunctiva of patients under topical prostaglandin analogs treatment.

PURPOSE: Subclinical inflammation may be observed in patients using topical antiglaucomatous drugs. The objective of this study was to investigate inflammation in conjunctiva of glaucoma patients using prostaglandin analogs, by the detection of an immunogenetic marker (HLA-DR) and compare the effect of 3 different drugs: latanoprost, bimatoprost, and travoprost in the induction of this inflammation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were evaluated without and with prostaglandin analogs topical therapy. Imprints of conjunctival cells were obtained, fixed on glass slides, and prepared for immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Before the use of prostaglandin analogs, 4 of the 33 patients evaluated presented expression of HLA-DR in the conjunctiva (mild). After 1 month on prostaglandin analog treatment, all but 1 patient presented HLA-DR staining. HLA-DR expression of these 32 patients was scored as mild (19 patients), medium (11 patients), or intense (2 patients). The differences were statistically significant both when the presence and the increased expression of HLA-DR were considered (P<0.001). When the 3 different groups were analyzed (latanoprost, bimatoprost, and travoprost) no statistically significant difference was found (P=0.27). CONCLUSIONS: The use of prostaglandin analogs eye drops provokes a subclinical inflammatory reaction, observed by HLA-DR expression, even after a short period of treatment, independently of the class of the prostaglandin analogs used.