Comparative Efficacy of Red Beetroot Extract and Ozonated Olive Oil on Wound Healing in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: To compare and assess the effect of red beetroot extract and ozonated olive oil on wound healing in rats. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Experimental Animal Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, from June to July 2021. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-one, female Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups; red beetroot extract group (RBG, n=7), ozonated olive oil group (OOG, n=7), and physiological saline group (CG). Three round wound areas of similar shapes were produced on the back areas. Skin incisions with a diameter of 15 mm were made in rats with a scalpel under anaesthesia protocol. Beetroot extract was applied to RBG, ozonated olive oil to OOG, and saline to CG, once a day for 21 days. Tissue samples were taken from the wounds on the 3rd, 10th, and 21st day of the study, and a histopathological examination (Hematoxylin eosin staining) was performed for haemorrhage, congestion, necrosis, inflammation and fibrosis levels. Wound healing was also determined macroscopically by photography on same days. Serum oxidant (TOS, µmol H2O2 equivalents/L), antioxidant status (TAS, mmol trolox equivalents/L), serum total thiol (µmol/L), serum native thiol (µmol/L) and paraoxonase (PON, U/L) were determined from blood samples on the 21st day. RESULTS: Lower inflammation and higher blood antioxidant levels were determined in the RGB and OOG groups compared to the CG. A better wound healing on histology was observed in the OOG group compared to RGB. CONCLUSION: Red beetroot extract and ozonated olive oil enhanced wound healing in female rats. Ozonated olive oil had more effective wound-healing effect than beetroot extract. KEY WORDS: Wound healing, Ozonated olive oil, Red beetroot extract, Antioxidant effect.

Effects of flumethrin and eprinomectin in naturally infected mice with Myocoptes musculinus.

Mite infestations can occur in laboratory mice and cause an undesirable immune system response and adversely affect study results. Myocoptes musculinus is a mite species that can occasionally parasitized in laboratory-housed and breeding mice. In this study, the efficacy of flumethrin and eprinomectin were compared in 30 male Balb/c mice naturally infested with M. musculinus. Balb/c mice were divided into three different groups comprising eprinomectin treated, flumethrin treated and untreated control. Eprinomectin and flumethrin applied at doses of 5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg body weights, respectively. An equal volume of mineral oil was also applied to untreated control group. Clinical scoring was done in all groups before drug administration and on days 7, 14 and 21. Scrap samples were collected and evaluated before the study (day 0) and on days 7, 14 and 21 during the study. Each colony was also videotaped for 15 min every day to calculate the Pruritic Index (PI: scratching and gnawing acts/mouse/minute). Obtained results showed that both eprinomectin and flumethrin pour-on applications significantly decreased the number of different life stages of the parasite in the skin scrapings. Both eprinomectin and flumethrin pour-on applications were found to be effective in the treatment of M. musculinus infestation in mice. However, compared to eprinomectin applied group, slightly higher number of eggs, adult and damaged adults (P < 0.01) were observed in group treated with flumethrin at day 14 after treatment. A significant reduction in PI in eprinomectin treated group 1 day after treatment, while reduction in PI was 3 days after treatment in flumethrin treated group. Clinical scoring data indicated complete recovery in the eprinomectin treated group 21 days after treatment, while partial recovery was observed in the flumethrin treated group. As a result, it can be concluded that pour-on application of eprinomectin is more effective compared to flumethrin against natural M. musculinus infestation in mice.

Investigation of the protective effect of nesfatin-1 on testicular ischaemia-reperfusion damage: An experimental study.

This study aimed to determine oxidative stress in the tissue after testicular torsion biochemically and histopathologically and to examine the effects of Nesfatin-1 treatment on this injury. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham, torsion + detorsion (4 hr torsion followed by 1 hr detorsion), ischaemia/reperfusion + saline (I/R + S) and I/R + nesfatin-1. I/R + S group a single-dose saline treatment was administered intraperitoneally at the two-hundred-tenth minute of torsion (ischaemia; 10 cc/kg). Similarly, I/R + nesfatin-1 group a single dose of nesfatin-1 treatment was administered intraperitoneally at the two-hundred-tenth minute of ischaemia (10 µg/kg). Myeloperoxidase, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index values were significantly increased in the I/R and I/R + S group compared to the sham group. Superoxide dismutase was significantly decreased in the I/R + S group compared to the sham group. No significant difference was found between the I/R + nesfatin-1 group and the other I/R groups (I/R and I/R + S) in terms of biochemical parameters. The mean diameter of the seminiferous tubule decreased in the I/R groups. However, the mean diameter of the seminiferous tubules was not significantly different between the I/R + S group and the I/R + nesfatin-1 group. Thus, the administration of nesfatin-1 after ischaemia did not reduce testicular-oxidative stress.

Serum IL-4, IL-12, IL-13, IL-27, and IL-33 levels in active and inactive ocular Behcet's disease.

PURPOSE: To investigate serum levels of interleukin (IL)-12 (Th1 cytokine), IL-27 (an immunomodulatory cytokine), IL-4 (suppressor of Th1-cell growth), IL-13 (a stimulatory signal for Th2 cytokines), and IL-33 (an epithelial cell-derived cytokine) and their relations with the disease activity in Behcet's Disease (BD). METHODS: Four groups, each composed of 20 participants were enrolled in the study; active ocular BD (Group-A), ocular BD in remission (Group-B), nonocular BD in remission (Group-C) and healthy controls (Group-D). IL levels were compared between the study groups and their correlation with the disease activity parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: IL-13 and IL-33 were higher in Group-A. IL-27 was lower in all BD groups. Additionally, IL-13 and IL-33 levels were positively correlated with disease activity parameters. CONCLUSION: These findings show Th2 dominance in the active phase of BD. Besides, decreased levels of IL-27, and presumably, its protective anti-inflammatory effect in all study groups may exert a new pathologic finding in BD.

Effects of boric acid feeding on the oxidative stress parameters in testes, sperm parameters and DNA damage in mice.

This study was aimed to determine the effects of boric acid on oxidative stress, testicular tissue and spermatozoon DNA. Experiments were performed with Swiss Albino mice divided equally into two groups based on the tratment period: one for 4 and the other for 6-week duration. These groups were further divided into subgroups as Control and those administered daily at oral doses of 115 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 450 mg/kg of boric acid. Then, testicular tissue were examined postmortem and analyzed using ex-vivo biochemical tools for oxidative stress, spermatozoon membrane integrity, sperm motility and live cell rate (%). In both 4 and 6-week groups, v. seminalis weight, membrane integrity, motility, live cells and GSH levels exhibited a decreasing trent compared to the controls. In addition, 6-week group had a decrease in SOD level. MDA level was higher in controls in both 4 and 6-week groups. Spermatozoon DNA was intact in the 4-week group, but damaged in the 6-week group, and the degree of the damage dependent on the administered dose. Boric acid induces oxidative stress in testicular tissue, and its long-term application (only 6 weeks) caused damage in spermatozoon DNA.

Effect of Tarantula Cubensis Extract (Theranekron) on Peripheral Nerve Healing in an Experimental Sciatic Nerve Injury Model in Rats.

AIM: To investigate the effects of systemic application of Theranekron on peripheral nerve healing after compression type peripheral nerve injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=7): Control (C), injury (I), and Theranekron (T). The right sciatic nerves of rats in the I and T groups were compressed via an aneurysm clip for 5 minutes and 0.3 ml Theranekron D6 was applied via subcutaneous administration once a week in the T group for a total period of four weeks. Nerve conduction velocity and proximal and distal latency of the rats were measured at the end of day 30. The right sciatic nerves of the rats were then removed and myelin damage grading, axon counting, fibrosis assessment, caspase-3, and NF-kB immunochemical staining were performed. The data were analysed statistically and a p value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. RESULTS: Axonal degeneration, vacuolization and myelin destruction were found to be markedly greater in group T. Fibrosis and caspase-3 immunoreactivity were less intense in group T. There was a statistically significant difference in the electrophysiological results of groups I and T. However, there were no statistically significant differences in axon number and NF-kB immunochemical evaluation of groups I and T. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study show that Theranekron decreases axonal and myelin damage after sciatic nerve injury and that this neuroprotective effect of Theranekron can be attributed to its anti-inflammatory effect on pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.

Evaluation of tear osmolarity and tear function in patients with Behçet's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Behçet's syndrome (BS) on tear osmolarity and tear film function tests. METHODS: Thirty patients with BS and 41 control subjects were enrolled in this study. Tear osmolarity was measured with an osmometer. Tear film function tests involved corneal fluorescein staining, tear film breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer's 1 test, and an Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) Questionnaire. RESULTS: The patients with BS had significantly higher tear osmolarity (p = 0.000) and OSDI scores (p = 0.000) than the healthy controls. The TBUT (p = 0.000) and Schirmer's 1 test (p = 0.033) results were significantly lower in the BS group, but the fluorescein staining results were not statistically different. A significant correlation was found between tear osmolarity, OSDI, and the activity of BS. CONCLUSIONS: BS is associated with hyperosmolarity of the tear film, which can damage the ocular surface and affect tear functions.

Ozone Partially Decreases Axonal and Myelin Damage in an Experimental Sciatic Nerve Injury Model.

AIM: To investigate the effects of ozone in experimental acute sciatic nerve injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-eight male rats were divided into four groups (n = 7): control (C), ozone (O), injury (SNI), and treatment with ozone after injury (SNI + Ozone). Sciatic nerve injury was generated by compressing the right sciatic nerve for 90 s using a Yasargil aneurysm clip in groups SNI and SNI + Ozone. A 70 µg/ml concentration of ozone was given four times (once a day at 1st, 24th, 48th, and 72th h) at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg to groups O and SNI + Ozone after injury by an intraperitoneal injection. Nerve conduction velocities of all rats were measured by in vivo electrophysiological tests at the end of the day 4. Then, plasma malondialdehyde, total oxidant and antioxidant status were measured and also axonal and myelin changes in sciatic nerves of histopathological examination were performed. The data were analyzed by Kolmogorov Smirnov test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Chi square test. p <.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The proximal and distal latency difference were higher and nerve conduction velocity were lower in SNI group than C and O groups, and the myelin structure was found to be broken in group SNI compared to groups C and O. However, the amplitude of the compound action potential, the nerve conduction velocity were significantly higher in group SNI + Ozone than in group SNI. Moreover, myelin injury was significantly lower in group SNI + Ozone compared to group SNI. Total oxidant status in group SNI was significantly higher than in groups C, O, and SNI + Ozone. But, total antioxidant status in group SNI was significantly lower than in groups C, O, and SNI + Ozone. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the administration of ozone at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg after peripheral nerve injury in rats reduces myelin and axonal injury.

Effect of Etanercept on the Formation of Epidural Fibrosis in an Experimental Model.

AIM: To investigate the effects of local and systemic administration of etanercept on the formation of epidural fibrosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-eight rats were randomly divided into four equal groups (Control, SpongostanTM, Local etanercept and Systemic etanercept) and laminectomy was performed between T11 and L1 in all rats. SpongostanTM was soaked with saline (0.1 mg/kg), local etanercept (300 ?g/kg) was applied with SpongostanTM and systemic etanercept (300 ?g/kg/week) was applied subcutaneously. Four weeks later, the vertebral column from T9 to L3, including the paraspinal muscles and epidural scar tissue, was removed en bloc, and epidural fibrosis and arachnoidal involvement were graded and evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: The grading of epidural fibrosis was statistically significantly lower in systemic and local administration of etanercept groups compared to the control group (p < 0.005), but systemic etanercept administration was more effective. CONCLUSION: Systemic administration of etanercept can be effective in reducing epidural fibrosis in rats after laminectomy.

Investigation of dynamic thiol-disulphide homoeostasis in age-related cataract patients with a novel and automated assay.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine plasma thiol-disulphide homoeostasis in patients with age-related cataract (ARC) and compare the results of the patients with healthy subjects. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and catalase (CAT) activity were also investigated. METHODS: The study included 53 cataract patients and 52 healthy volunteers. Native thiol-disulphide exchanges were determined using a novel and automated method. CAT activity was determined using the method described by Aebi, and MDA levels were calculated using the thiobarbituric acid method. RESULT: Native thiol and total thiol levels were significantly lower in the cataract patients compared with the controls (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). The disulphide levels of the cataract patients were significantly higher than the controls (p = 0.002). The ratios of disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol were statistically higher in the cataract patients compared with the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, CAT activity was significantly lower in the cataract patient group compared with the control group (p < 0.001), and MDA levels were insignificantly higher in the patient group (p = 0.581). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that dynamic thiol-disulphide homoeostasis has shifted towards disulphide formation, as a result of thiol oxidation in ARC patients. The present study is the first to measure thiol-disulphide homoeostasis in ARC patients with a novel automated assay. This study supports the hypothesis that cataract is an oxidative disorder. Further studies are required in order to examine the relationship between oxidative stress and the development of cataract formation.

Protective Effects of Hypericum perforatum and Quercetin in a Rat Model of Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury of Testes.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the protective effects of Hypericum perforatum (Hp) and quercetin, a flavonoid, against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat testes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 28 male Wistar albino rats that were divided into four groups. Except for the sham group, torsion was created by rotating both testes at an angle of 720 degrees clockwise for 2 hours. The Hp and quercetin groups received 25 mg/kg Hp and quercetin intraperitoneally 30 minutes before detorsion, respectively. Orchiectomy was performed for the measurement of markers of oxidative stress and histopathological examination. RESULTS: In the Hp and quercetin groups, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels and total oxidant capacity were significantly lower, the glutathione level and total antioxidant status were significantly higher, and Johnsen's testis biopsy scores were significantly higher than in the torsion/detorsion group (p ˂ 0.001). The markers of oxidative injury were significantly lower (p ˂ 0.001) and total antioxidant status was significantly higher (p ˂ 0.001), except for glutathione (p = 0.62) in the Hp group than in the quercetin group. Johnsen's score between Hp and quercetin groups was not significantly different (p = 0.80). CONCLUSION: Both Hp and quercetin have protective effects against I/R injury of the testes, but the protective effect of Hp was found to be stronger than that of quercetin.

VEGF-A gene polymorphisms and responses to intravitreal ranibizumab treatment in patients with diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between VEGF gene polymorphisms and the responses to treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS: This prospective study, conducted at the Kutahya Dumlupinar University Faculty of Medicine, included 95 patients with DME that were treated with IVR and 32 patients without DME despite proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). The participants were divided into three groups: DME with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, DME with PDR, and PDR without DME; patients with DME who were treated with IVR were further divided into two groups based on their response to the treatment. Each patient was genotyped for five single nucleotide variations (SNVs) in VEGF-A: rs2010963, rs2146323, rs10434, rs833069, and rs6921438. RESULT: There was a statistically significant difference in allelic distribution of VEGF-A rs833069 polymorphism in relation to the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DRP) (p = 0.031). The allelic distribution of VEGF-A rs2146323 polymorphism tended to be associated with the severity of DRP (p = 0.069). There were no statistically significant differences in the allelic distribution of the studied five SNVs in DME patients regarding the patients' responses to IVR therapy. CONCLUSIONS: There is no association between the studied VEGF-A SNVs and the responses to IVR therapy in DME. However, the VEGF-A rs833069 gene polymorphism has a clear association with the severity of diabetic retinopathy.

Retrospective analysis of the effect of aflibercept loading dose on the retinal vessel diameters in patients with treatment-naive neovascular AMD.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) on retinal vessel diameters in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective study conducted at the Kutahya Dumlupinar University Faculty of Medicine included 15 eyes of 15 patients with treatment naive neovascular AMD. METHODS: All eyes received IVA injections once per month for 3 months; untreated contralateral eyes were used as controls. The central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE), central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE), and artery-vein ratio (AVR) values were measured using a computer-based program before the first IVA injection and 30 days after the first, second, and third injections. The main outcome measurements were the central macular thickness (CMT), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), choroidal thickness, CRAE, CRVE, and AVR. RESULTS: Significant vasoconstriction of the retinal arterioles was observed in all eyes treated with IVA when compared to baseline (p = 0.009). However, no significant differences were found for CRVE or AVR throughout the study period in treated eyes. In the control group, all parameters measured during each visit were similar to baseline measurements (p > 0.05). The mean BCVA significantly improved at the end of the loading dose of IVA, when compared to baseline (p = 0.006). After the IVA injections, the mean CMT and choroidal thickness were significantly reduced at all visits, compared to baseline (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The current study showed that IVA led to significant retinal arteriolar vasoconstriction and choroidal thinning, which may cause reduced retinal blood flow.

Impact of Smoking on the Ocular Surface, Tear Function, and Tear Osmolarity.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effects of cigarette smoking on the ocular surface, tear function, and tear osmolarity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 smokers with at least 5 years of heavy smoking (defined as 1 pack/day) and 51 nonsmoking, healthy individuals were enrolled. Tear osmolarity was measured with an osmometer (TearLab™ Osmolarity System). Ocular surface examinations involved corneal fluorescein staining, measurement of the tear film breakup time (TBUT), the Schirmer 1 test, measurement of corneal sensitivity with a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer, and conjunctival impression cytology. Dry eye symptoms were scored using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. The results were compared with those from an age and sex-matched control group. The Chi-squared and independent sample t-tests were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: The smokers had significantly higher tear osmolarity values (305.38 ± 9.81 vs. 301.14 ± 7.04 mOsm/L; p = 0.014) and OSDI scores (34.13 ± 16.58 vs. 18.09 ± 9.61; p < 0.001) than the healthy controls. However, the TBUT, corneal sensitivity, and goblet cell density were significantly lower in smokers compared to healthy controls, but the fluorescein staining and Schirmer 1 test results were not statistically different between the smokers and controls. CONCLUSION: Smoking results in increased osmolarity of the tear film, which can damage the ocular surface and tear function.

Dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE:: We evaluated dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis (TDH), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and catalase (CAT) activity in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). All analyzes were conducted on plasma samples. METHODS:: Thirty-two patients with AMD and 38 age-matched healthy controls were included. Native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide levels and TDH status were determined using a novel, automated assay. MDA levels and CAT activity were determined. Percentages were compared using the chi-squared test. The Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to compare quantitative variables. RESULTS:: Native thiol levels were significantly lower (p=0.004) in patients with AMD (272.02 ± 52.41 µmol/l) than in healthy individuals (307.82 ± 47.18 µmol/l), whereas disulfide levels were significantly higher (p<0.001) in patients with AMD than in controls (21.64 ± 5.59 vs. 14.48 ± 5.37 µmol/L). Dynamic TDH was also significantly lower (p<0.001) in patients with AMD than in controls (13.41 ± 4.3 vs. 25.41 ± 14.52 µmol/l). No significant differences were evident in total thiol or MDA levels. Mean CAT activity was significantly higher (p=0.043) in patients with AMD compared with controls (0.035 vs. 0.018 k/ml). CONCLUSIONS:: The antioxidant/oxidant balance demonstrated by dynamic TDH is shifted to the oxidative side in patients with AMD.

Effect of systemic application of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on healing of peripheral nerve injury in an experimental sciatic nerve injury model.

AIM: To investigate the effects of systemic application of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in a compression model of peripheral nerve injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 24 male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups (n=8):Control (C),injury (I),and stem cell and injury (SI).The sciatic nerve of rats in the I and SI groups was subjected to clip compression for 5 minutes.Moreover,approximately 5x105 bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were given via tail vein of the rats in the SI group immediately after clip compression. The nerve conduction velocities and amplitudes of the rats were measured 30 days later.Then,the sciatic nerves were removed, and myelin damage grading and axon counting were performed.The data were analyzed by One-Way ANOVA and Tukey\'s post-hoc test.P values less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: While the proximal,distal and mean latency values were higher in the I and SI groups than in the control group,the same measurements were lower in the SI group than in the I group.While the nerve conduction velocity,the compound action potential and the number of axons were lower in the I and SI groups than in the control group,the same measurements were higher in the SI group than in the I group.Moreover,myelin damage was found to be lower in the SI group than in the I group. CONCLUSION: It has been shown that systemic application of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in a compression model of peripheral nerve injury has a positive impact on both myelin sheath and axon survival.

Thiol Disulfide Homeostasis in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To determine the serum thiol disulfide homeostasis in patients with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome. METHOD: Thirty-five patients with PEX syndrome and forty healthy subjects were included in this observational case-control study. Serum native thiol, total thiol, disulfide, and native thiol/disulfide ratio were determined using a novel and automated assay. RESULTS: The mean serum total thiol and native thiol levels were significantly lower in patients with PEX syndrome compared to healthy controls (p = 0.001). The mean serum disulfide level was significantly higher in patients with PEX syndrome compared to healthy controls (p = 0.023). The serum native thiol/disulfide ratio was lower in patients with PEX syndrome compared to healthy subjects (16 ± 10.1 vs 22.3 ± 11.5, respectively, p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Our findings provide evidence that the dynamic native thiol/disulfide ratio is lower in PEX syndrome, which shows a reduction in the natural cell reductive capacity reservoir.

Evaluation of the Choroid, Fovea, and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on choroid, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and foveal thickness using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: Fifty patients with RA and forty-one healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. The subfoveal, perifoveal choroidal, RNFL, and foveal thicknesses were measured by spectral domain OCT. RESULTS: The mean subfoveal, nasal, and temporal choroidal thicknesses in RA individuals were significantly higher than those in the control group (p ˂ 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the RA and healthy group regarding RNFL and foveal thickness (p ˃ 0.05). A significant correlation was found between rheumatoid factor (RF) and the subfoveal temporal choroidal thickness. CONCLUSION: Choroidal thickness in RA patients was higher than that in healthy participants. Choroidal thickening showed a positive correlation with RF, which may be an indicator for systemic vasculitis.

Central corneal thickness and corneal curvature in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The aims of this study were to determine the central corneal thickness (CCT) and corneal curvature (CC) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to evaluate the correlations between the CCT, CC, RA activity, and RA duration. Fifty-four RA patients (104 eyes; 35 with dry eye, 69 without dry eye) and 21 age- and gender-matched control patients (42 eyes) were enrolled in the study. The CCT and CC were measured by ultrasonic pachymeter and autorefractor-keratometer, respectively. RA activity was assessed using the disease activity score (DAS) 28. The independent samples' t test and Pearson correlation analysis were used in the statistical analyses. Mean CCTs were found to be 535.88 ± 38.24, 530.46 ± 32.88, 538.64 ± 40.64, and 543.40 ± 40.66 µm in all RA eyes, RA with dry eyes, RA without dry eyes, and control eyes, respectively. Mean keratometry (K) readings were found to be 43.84 ± 1.76, 43.73 ± 1.23, 43.90 ± 1.98, and 43.60 ± 1.48 D in all RA eyes, RA with dry eyes, RA without dry eyes, and control eyes, respectively. There were no significant differences in CCT values (p values, 0.293, 0.134, and 0.550, respectively) and K readings (p values, 0.435, 0.681, and 0.402, respectively) between the RA and control eyes. These findings led us to the conclusion that the CCT and K readings were not significantly associated with DAS (p values, 0.678 and 0.812, respectively) and RA duration (p values, 0.108 and 0.080, respectively). Our results show that CCTs and CCs were not significantly different between the RA eyes and control eyes. CCTs and CCs were also not associated with RA activity and RA duration.