Wnt signaling pathway activities may be altered in primary Sjogren's syndrome

Background/aim: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease and its pathogenesis is still not completely clear. The wingless (Wnt)/ß-catenin pathway has recently been shown to play an important role in inflammation. This study aims to determine the serum and saliva levels of Dickkopf (DKK)1 and sclerostin and to evaluate Wnt-1 and Wnt-3a expression in the salivary gland in patients with primary SS. Materials and methods: This study included 30 patients diagnosed with SS, 30 patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 29 healthy controls. Serum and saliva levels of DKK1 and sclerostin were measured and the expressions of Wnt1 and Wnt3a in the salivary gland were measured immunohistochemically. Results: Serum DKK1 and sclerostin levels were lower in the SS and SLE groups compared to the control group (both p < 0.001). Saliva DKK1 levels were higher in the SS group compared to the control and SLE groups (p = 0.004 and p = 0.009, respectively). Wnt1 and Wnt3a expression were found in salivary gland tissue samples in 71.4% of primary SS patients and relatively frequent than control group. Conclusions: Serum DKK1 and sclerostin levels in primary SS and SLE were decreased. Moreover, levels of Wnt1 and Wnt3a expression in the salivary gland were also elevated in primary SS. Therefore, it can be concluded that the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway activities may be altered in case of glandular inflammation.

Neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of ghrelin in an experimental glaucoma model.

Damage to retinal ganglion cells due to elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) is responsible for vision loss in glaucoma. Given that loss of these cells is irreversible, neuroprotection is crucial in the treatment of glaucoma. In this study, we investigated the possible antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of ghrelin on the retina in an experimental glaucoma model. Twenty-one Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups comprising seven rats each. The rats in the control group were not operated on and did not receive any treatment. In all rats in the other groups, IOP was increased by cauterization of the limbal veins. After creation of the IOP increase, saline 1 mL/kg or ghrelin 40 µg/kg was administered intraperitoneally every day for 14 days in the vehicle control group and ghrelin groups, respectively. On day 14 of the study, the eyes were enucleated. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS2) in anterior chamber fluid were measured. The retinas were subjected to immunohistochemistry staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S-100, and vimentin expression. Mean levels of MDA, NO, and NOS2 in the aqueous humor were higher in the vehicle control group than in the control group (P<0.05). Mean levels of MDA, NO, and NOS2 in the ghrelin group did not show a significant increase compared with levels in the control group (P>0.05). Retinal TUNEL and immunohistochemistry staining in the vehicle control group showed an increase in apoptosis and expression of GFAP, S-100, and vimentin compared with the control group (P<0.05). In the ghrelin group, apoptosis and expression of GFAP, S-100, and vimentin was significantly lower than in the vehicle control group (P<0.05). This study suggests that ghrelin has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects on the retina in an experimental glaucoma model.

Phthriasis palpebrarum mimicking lid eczema and blepharitis.

Phthiriasis palpebrarum (PP) is a rare eyelid infestation caused by phthirus pubis. We report a case of PP mimicking lid eczema and blepharitis. A 68-year-old woman had moderate itching in both eyes. Her initial diagnosis was considered to be lid eczema or blepharitis because of findings similar to exfoliative lesions and color changes in eyelids and to excretions over eyelashes. Careful observation revealed many lice and translucent nits, protuberances and hyperpigmentary changes, and the buried lice in both eyelids. No hyperemia or secretion was observed on the lids and in the conjunctiva in both eyes. The patient was treated with pilocarpine hydrochloride 4% drops. At the end of the first week, no louse or nit was present. Although it was known that PP is a rare cause of blepharoconjunctivitis, it might observe as an isolated infestation of the eyelids and this condition can easily be misdiagnosed as lid eczema and blepharitis.

Annular and central heavy pigment deposition on the posterior lens capsule in the pigment dispersion syndrome: pigment deposition on the posterior lens capsule in the pigment dispersion syndrome.

PURPOSE: To report annular and central heavy pigment deposition on the posterior lens capsule in a case of pigment dispersion syndrome. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 36-year-old female with bilateral pigment dispersion syndrome presented with progressive decrease in visual acuity in the right eye over the past 1-2 years. Clinical examination revealed the typical findings of pigment dispersion syndrome including bilateral Krunkenberg spindles, iris transillumination defects, and dense trabecular meshwork pigmentation. Remarkably, annular and central dense pigmentation of the posterior lens capsule was noted in the right eye. CONCLUSION: Annular pigment deposition on the posterior lens capsule may be a rare finding associated with pigment dispersion syndrome. Such a finding suggests that there may be aqueous flow into the retrolental space in some patients with this condition. The way of central pigmentation is the entrance of aqueous to Berger's space. In our case, it is probable that spontaneous detachment of the anterior hyaloid membrane aided this entrance.