Association of HK2 and NCK2 with normal-tension glaucoma in a population from the Republic of Korea.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported the association of HK2 and NCK2 genes with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) in Japan, but there has been no follow-up study in other countries, so the relevance of these genes to NTG appears uncertain at present. Thus, we investigated the relationship between the HK2 and NCK2 genes and NTG in a Korean NTG cohort. METHODS: In total, 154 unrelated Korean patients with NTG and 101 normal Korean controls were recruited. Thus, a total of 255 participants were analyzed for NCK2 (rs2033008) and HK2 (rs678350) gene polymorphisms. RESULTS: The minor allele frequency (MAF) of rs678350 was significantly higher in NTG patients (MAF = 0.32) than in controls (MAF = 0.23) (OR, 1.586; 95% CI, 1.058 to 2.375; P = 0.028). This trend was more significant in the dominant model (OR, 1.908; 95% CI, 1.144 to 3.180; P = 0.015). When we performed logistic regression analysis to adjust for age, both the allelic and dominant models were still statistically significant. No significant difference was observed in rs2033008 allele or genotype frequencies between the NTG patients and control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggested that HK2 gene polymorphism may contribute to the genetic susceptibility to NTG.

Platycodin D Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis by Repressing the NFATc1 and MAPK Signaling Pathway.

Platycodon grandiflorum root-derived saponins (Changkil saponins, CKS) are reported to have many pharmacological activities. In our latest research, CKS was proven to have a significant osteogenic effect. However, the detail molecular mechanism of CKS on osteoclastic differentiation has not been fully investigated. Administration of CKS considerably reduced OVX-induced bone loss, and ameliorated the reduction in plasma levels of alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphorus observed in OVX mice. CKS also repressed the deterioration of bone trabecular microarchitecture. Interestingly, platycodin D, the most abundant and major pharmacological constituent of triterpenoid CKS, inhibited receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced activation of NF-κB, and ERK and p38 MAPK, ultimately repressing osteoclast differentiation. OVX-induced bone turnover was attenuated by CKS, possibly via repression of osteoclast differentiation by platycodin D, the active component of CKS. Platycodin D can be regarded as an antiosteoporotic candidate for treatment of osteoporosis diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 860-868, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of Cataract Opacity Type and Glaucoma Severity on Visual Field Index.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of cataract opacity type and glaucoma severity on the visual field index (VFI). METHODS: A total of 152 eyes of 152 patients were analyzed. Patients with glaucoma, previous evaluation with the Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm-standard 24-2 VFs, visually significant cataracts, and VFs before surgery were included in this study. Cataract opacity was classified as cortical, nuclear sclerotic, or posterior subcapsular. The patients underwent phacoemulsification cataract extraction surgery. A postoperative VF test was done within 10 months of the previous VF. Glaucoma severity was classified by the postoperative mean deviation (MD) value. Changes in MD, pattern standard deviation (PSD), and VFI value before and after surgery were compared according to cataract opacity and glaucoma severity. RESULTS: The mean age at cataract surgery was 72 ± 10 years. The MD, PSD, and VFI values were less influenced by nuclear sclerotic cataract opacity. In patients with early glaucoma (MD > -6), particularly with cortical cataract opacity, MD, PSD, and VFI improved after cataract extraction (p < 0.05). Cataract opacity could make interpreting the VF indices more difficult in patients with early glaucoma. VFI was a reliable index that was less affected by cataract extraction, except in patients with early glaucoma (MD > -6) and cortical cataract opacity. CONCLUSIONS: Existing cataract opacity and the type of cataract opacity may affect the VF test results. Therefore, both glaucoma severity and the type of cataract opacity should be considered when interpreting VF results.

Saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum suppresses TGFß1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition via repression of PI3K/Akt, ERK1/2 and Smad2/3 pathway in human lung carcinoma A549 cells.

Transforming growth factor ß (TGFß) is a multifunctional cytokine that induces growth arrest, tissue fibrosis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through activation of Smad and non-Smad signaling pathways. EMT is the differentiation switch by which polarized epithelial cells differentiate into contractile and motile mesenchymal cells. Our previous studies have shown that saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (CKS) have antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antimetastatic, and hepatoprotective effects. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of CKS on TGFß1-induced alterations characteristic of EMT in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. We found that CKS-treated cells displayed inhibited TGFß1-mediated E-cadherin downregulation and Vimentin upregulation and also retained epithelial morphology. Furthermore, TGFß1-increased Snail expression, a repressor of E-cadherin and an inducer of the EMT, was reduced by CKS. CKS inhibited TGFß1-induced phosphorylation of Akt, ERK1/2, and glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß). Inhibition of PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 also blocked TGFß1-induced GSK-3ß phosphorylation and Snail activation. Furthermore, TGFß1-increased Snail expression was reduced by selective inhibitors of Akt and ERK1/2. Moreover, CKS treatment attenuated TGFß1-induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation and upregulated Smad7 expression. These results indicate that pretreatment with the CKS inhibits the TGFß1-induced EMT through PI3K/Akt, ERK1/2, GSK-3ß and Smad2/3 in human lung carcinoma cells.

Saponins, especially platycodin D, from Platycodon grandiflorum modulate hepatic lipogenesis in high-fat diet-fed rats and high glucose-exposed HepG2 cells.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a central role in controlling hepatic lipid metabolism through modulating the downstream acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) pathway. Saponins, particularly platycodin D, from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (Changkil saponins, CKS) have a variety of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CKS on hepatic lipogenesis and on the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis, and the mechanisms involved. CKS attenuated fat accumulation and the induction of the lipogenic genes encoding SREBP-1c and fatty acid synthase in the livers of HFD-fed rats and in steatotic HepG2 cells. Blood biochemical analyses and histopathological examinations showed that CKS prevented liver injury. CKS and platycodin D each increased the phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase in HFD-fed rats and HepG2 cells. The use of specific inhibitors showed that platycodin D activated AMPK via SIRT1/CaMKKß in HepG2 cells. This study demonstrates that CKS or platycodin D alone can regulate hepatic lipogenesis via an AMPK-dependent signalling pathway.

Lack of association between SIX1/SIX6 locus polymorphisms and pseudoexfoliation syndrome in a population from the Republic of Korea.

Previous studies have reported the association of the SIX1/SIX6 locus with open-angle glaucoma in various ethnic populations. However, the relevance of the SIX1/SIX6 locus to pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS) appears uncertain at present. Thus, we investigated the relationship between polymorphisms in the SIX1/SIX6 locus and XFS in a Korean XFS cohort. A total of 246 participants comprising 167 unrelated Korean patients with XFS and 79 ethnically matched control subjects were recruited. Four polymorphisms of the SIX1/SIX6 locus (rs33912345, rs12436579, rs2179970, and rs10483727) were genotyped using a TaqMan® allelic discrimination assay. Genotypic and allelic associations were analyzed using logistic regression. The minor allele frequency (MAF) of rs33912345 was found to be 0.287 and 0.247 in the XFS cases and controls, respectively, and the MAF of rs12436579 was found to be 0.383 and 0.361 in the XFS cases and control subjects, respectively. The MAF of rs2179970 was found to be 0.090 and 0.095 in the XFS cases and control subjects, respectively, and the MAF of rs10483727 was found to be 0.293 and 0.253 in the XFS cases and control subjects, respectively. Genetic association analysis of 4 SIX1/SIX6 locus single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) revealed no significant difference in genotype distribution between the XFS cases and control subjects in the allelic, dominant, or recessive models (all, P > .05). The current study suggested that SIX1/SIX6 locus polymorphisms (rs33912345, rs12436579, rs2179970, and rs10483727) may not be associated with a genetic susceptibility to XFS in a Korean cohort.

Association of Polymorphisms at the SIX1/SIX6 Locus With Normal Tension Glaucoma in a Korean Population.

PRCIS: We demonstrated that SIX1/SIX6 locus polymorphism (rs10483727 and rs33912345) was significantly associated with a genetic susceptibility to NTG in a Korean population. More studies are needed to investigate whether the SIX1/SIX6 locus is associated with NTG among various ethnic populations. PURPOSE: Several previous studies have reported that the relevance of the SIX1/SIX6 locus to open angle glaucoma (OAG) in various ethnic populations. However, definitions of OAG patients were different among those studies. The relevance of the SIX1/SIX6 locus to normal tension glaucoma (NTG) in a Korean population remains uncertain. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of the SIX1/SIX6 locus with NTG in a Korean cohort. METHOD: Patients with NTG and ethnically matched healthy controls were recruited from eye clinics in Korea (210 cases and 117 controls). Four polymorphisms (rs33912345, rs12436579, rs2179970, and rs10483727) of the SIX1/SIX6 locus were genotyped for 327 subjects using a TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assay. RESULTS: The rs33912345 polymorphism was significantly correlated with NTG in the recessive model [odds ratio (OR): 0.265; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.078-0.898, P =0.033], but not in the allelic and dominant models (both P >0.05). The SNP rs10483727 was significantly associated with NTG in the allelic model (OR: 0.674; 95% CI: 0.464-0.979, P =0.038) and the recessive model (OR: 0.187; 95% CI: 0.058-0.602, P =0.005). Genetic association analysis of SNP rs12436579 and rs2179970 revealed no significant difference in genotype distribution between NTG cases and controls in the allelic, dominant, or recessive models (all P >0.05). CONCLUSION: The current study found that SIX1-SIX6 locus rs10483727 and rs33912345 polymorphisms were significantly associated with NTG risk in the Korean population.

Impact of cardiovascular comorbidity on increased neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLRs) of patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) according to the presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with those without CVD as controls. METHODS: A total of 197 participants (97 patients with PEX and 100 participants without PEX regarded as the control group) were included in this retrospective study. The PEX group was divided into 2 subgroups, PEX with CVD (group 1) and PEX without CVD (group 2). NLRs were then compared to those of the control group. RESULTS: The incidence of CVD was significantly (P = .015) higher in the PEX group than in the control group. NLR was significantly higher in the group 1 and group 2 compared with that of the control group (P = .048 and P = .002, respectively). In the PEX group, group 1 showed higher NLR than group 2 (P = .023). CONCLUSION: Although the PEX group showed a higher incidence of CVD, the NLR was higher in the PEX group regardless of cardiovascular comorbidity than that in the control group.

Effect of sorafenib on experimental choroidal neovascularization in the rat.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of sorafenib administration on laser-induced experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in rats. METHODS: A total of 36 rats were divided into three groups. Sorafenib, an oral, multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day (n = 12) or 30 mg/kg per day (n = 12) for 1 day before the laser induction of CNV. Rats continued to receive the drug for 14 days. Fluorescein angiograms were analysed for CNV dye leakage and the thickness of CNV was assessed by histology. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 mRNA were measured by the use of real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Sorafenib-treated rats had significantly less fluorescence leakage as compared with vehicle-treated rats (P < 0.05), The CNV thickness in sorafenib-treated rats was significantly reduced as compared with vehicle-treated rats in a dose-dependent manner (P = 0.00163 for 10 mg/kg and P < 0.00001 for 30 mg/kg). After sorafenib (30 mg/kg) administration, expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 genes was significantly decreased (P < 0.05 and P = 0.00802). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that sorafenib may be potentially beneficial for the treatment of CNV in human; further studies on this subject are warranted.

Comparison between distance and near visual acuity in amblyopes.

To compare distant visual acuity (DVA) and near visual acuity (NVA) in amblyopia and evaluate if NVA can be used to diagnose amblyopia.A retrospective study was performed on 73 patients diagnosed with amblyopia based on DVA, by measuring their NVA and comparing the DVA and NVA. The NVA was measured by Snellen chart at 30 cm and the DVA was measured by Dr Hahn vision test chart at 5m. The patients' age, type of amblyopia, spherical equivalent, the difference between spherical equivalent and the fellow eye spherical equivalent spherical, and prism diopter (PD) were evaluated and their relationship with the difference between the DVA and NVA was analyzed.The NVA was significantly better than the DVA in amblyopia (P = .000). The difference between the DVA and NVA was not significantly related to the type of amblyopia (P = .600) or the patients' age(P = .351). Also, the difference between the DVA and NVA was not significantly affected by the spherical equivalent (P = .425) or the difference between spherical equivalent and the fellow eye spherical equivalent (P = .212) in anisometropia amblyopia, and also not by the PD (P = .882) in strabismus amblyopia.In amblyopes, the NVA was better than the DVA before amblyopia treatment. The difference between the DVA and NVA was not affected by age, type of amblyopia, spherical equivalent, the difference between spherical equivalent and the fellow eye spherical equivalent spherical, or PD. Therefore, it should be taken into consideration that NVA could underestimate the severity of amblyopia and affect the accuracy at diagnosing amblyopia.

Lack of Correlation between ASB10 and Normal-tension Glaucoma in a Population from the Republic of Korea.

Purpose: Ankyrin repeats and suppressor of cytokine signaling box-containing protein 10 (ASB10) was identified as a novel gene for glaucoma. Since then, there have been reports on the association of ASB10 with glaucoma in various ethnic populations. In these studies, patients with different glaucoma types were included. Thus, we investigated the relationship between ASB10 and NTG in a Korean cohort.Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify the ASB10 variants in one patient with a strong NTG family history. A total of 263 participants, comprising 157 NTG patients and 106 control subjects, were analyzed for ASB10 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).Results: Nine variants of the ASB10 gene were identified using whole-exome sequencing analysis, including four exonic SNPs. Of the exonic variants, three were known polymorphisms (rs3800791, rs2253592, and rs77615410), and one was newly reported (rs552803353). A nonsynonymous variant, rs552803353 was predicted as functionally damaging using PolyPhen-2. The exonic SNPs were compared against gene sequences of the control group in the NTG cohort. However, the minor allele frequency (MAF) of rs552803353 was found to be 0.029 and 0.038 in NTG cases and control subjects, respectively. The MAF of rs3800791 was found to be 0.096 and 0.118 in NTG cases and control subjects, respectively, and the MAF of rs77615410 was found to be 0.220 and 0.245 in NTG cases and control subjects, respectively, which were higher than those reported by previous studies. Genetic association analysis of four ASB10 SNPs revealed no significant difference in genotype distribution between NTG cases and control subjects in allelic, dominant, or recessive models (all, P > .05).Conclusions: The present study indicated that the MAFs of ASB10 gene polymorphisms showed a large difference among various ethnic groups, and that ASB10 gene polymorphisms may not be associated with genetic susceptibility to NTG in a Korean cohort.

Lack of correlation between S1 RNA binding domain 1 SNP rs3213787/rs11884064 and normal-tension glaucoma in a population from the Republic of Korea.

Previous studies have reported the association of the S1 RNA binding domain 1 (SRBD1) gene with open-angle glaucoma in various ethnic populations. However, in those studies, the definition of the patients differed, as did the results. Therefore, the relevance of the SRBD1 gene to normal tension glaucoma (NTG) appears uncertain at present. Thus, we investigated the relationship between the SRBD1 gene and NTG in a Korean NTG cohort.In total, 159 unrelated Korean patients with NTG and 103 Korean control subjects were recruited. Thus, a total of 262 participants were analyzed for SRBD1 (rs3213787 and rs11884064) gene polymorphisms.The minor allele frequency of rs3213787 was found to be 0.13 and 0.19 in NTG cases and controls, respectively. The genetic association analysis of SNP rs3213787 revealed no significant difference in genotype distribution between NTG cases and controls in allelic (odds ratio [OR] = 0.634, P = .063), dominant (OR = 0.589, P = .066) or recessive models (OR = 0.639, P = .7716). The minor allele frequency of rs11884064 was found to be 0.24 and 0.25 in NTG cases and controls, respectively. For rs11884064, no significant difference in genotype distribution was observed between NTG cases and controls in allelic (OR = 0.938, P = .755), dominant (OR = 0.927, P = .798) or recessive models (OR = 0.920, P = 1.000).The current study suggested that SRBD1 gene polymorphisms (rs3213787 and rs11884064) may not be associated with genetic susceptibility to NTG in a Korean cohort.

[Analysis of gene expression in primary hepatocellular carcinoma using differentially displayed reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The investigation of a specific tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is needed to examine the carcinogenesis and to select the patients for treatment options. The aim of this study was to find the genes related to HCC. We also examined the expression level of these genes in cancer cell lines and tissue specimens. METHODS: Three pairs of HCC tissue and non-neoplastic hepatic tissue around the HCC were collected from three patients who underwent resection for HCC. Differential display reverse transcriptase-PCR (DD RT-PCR) using GeneFishingTM PCR was used to detect the differences in the gene expression between in HCC tissue and non-neoplatic tissue. Up- or down-regulated genes in HCC tissue were identified through BLAST searches after cloning and sequencing assays. Real-time RT-PCR assay was employed to detect the expression rate in 11 HCC tissues and human cancer cell lines. RESULTS: Differentially expressed 21 genes were identified, and they were classified as genes involved in protein metabolism, ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, DNA repair, and inflammatory response. CONCLUSIONS: We identified differentially expressed genes in HCC, and these genes may play an important role in the study of hepatocarcinogenesis, development of biomarker, and target therapy for HCC.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 with tarsal conjunctiva thickening: A case report.

RATIONALE: We report a rare case of neurofibroma in the form of tarsal conjunctival thickening of the eyelid in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), common ocular complications of which are Lisch nodules, choroidal nodules, and optic nerve glioma. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 46-year-old female patient was diagnosed with neurofibroma after biopsy and removal of 2 lumbar level intradural masses 15 years ago. She was being monitored without recurrence. When the patient visited our hospital, multiple iris Lisch nodules were found in both her eyes with ill-defined, diffuse thickening in the upper eyelid tarsal conjunctiva of the right eye. DIAGNOSIS: Neurofibroma was diagnosed by incisional biopsy and immunohistochemistry of the tarsal conjunctiva. INTERVENTIONS: The patient of the present case did not undergo any additional surgical treatment because tarsal conjunctiva thickening caused little functional problem. OUTCOMES: The patient has only been regularly examined for changes in size of neurofibroma, and there was no change in size over a 12-month period. LESSONS: Neurofibroma should be considered as a differential diagnosis if a patient diagnosed with NF1 shows tarsal conjunctiva thickening.

Effect of a single intraoperative sub-Tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide on the progression of diabetic retinopathy and visual outcomes after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of a single intraoperative sub-Tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide on the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR), visual outcomes, and cystoid macular edema (CME) after cataract surgery. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. METHODS: This prospective controlled study comprised 46 eyes of 23 diabetic patients. The control group comprised eyes not treated with a triamcinolone acetonide injection, and the triamcinolone group comprised contralateral eyes treated with a single posterior sub-Tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide at the end of cataract surgery. The visual acuity, central macular thickness (CMT) by optical coherence tomography, and progression of DR were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: One month postoperatively, the mean change in lines of best corrected visual acuity was significantly greater in the triamcinolone group (P = .045) and the mean change in CMT was significantly greater in the control group (P = .015). The incidence of CME was higher in the control group (P = 0.04). Scores for progression of DR at 6 months were not statistically significantly different between the 2 groups (P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: A posterior sub-Tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide lowered the incidence of CME after cataract surgery in diabetic patients, improved visual recovery, and reduced the amount of CMT increase in the short term (< or = 1 month postoperatively). However, triamcinolone acetonide did not affect DR progression over the 6-month follow-up.

Protective effect of saponins derived from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of the saponins isolated from the root of Platycodi Radix (Changkil saponins: CKS) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatotoxicities in mice. Pretreatment with CKS prior to the administration of CCl(4) significantly prevented the increase in serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities and hepatic lipid peroxidation formation. In addition, CKS prevented CCl(4)-induced apoptosis and necrosis, as indicated by a liver histopathologic study and DNA laddering. To determine whether Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) pathway involved in CCl(4)-induced acute liver injury, Fas and FasL proteins and caspase-3, -8 activities were tested by western blotting and ELISA. CKS markedly decreased CCl(4)-induced Fas/FasL protein expression levels and in turn attenuated CCl(4)-induced caspase-3, -8 activities in mouse livers. Additionally, CKS protected the CCl(4)-induced depletion of hepatic glutathione levels. The effect of CKS on CYP2E1, the major isozyme involved in CCl(4) bioactivation, was investigated. Treatment with CKS resulted in a significant decrease in the CYP2E1-dependent hydroxylation of aniline. In addition, CKS exhibited antioxidant effects on FeCl(2)-ascorbate induced lipid peroxidation in liver homogenates, and on superoxide radical scavenging activity. These findings suggest that the protective effects of CKS against CCl(4)-induced acute liver injury possibly involve mechanisms related to its ability to block CYP2El-mediated CCl(4) bioactivation and its free radical scavenging effects, and that is also protects against Fas/FasL pathway mediated apoptosis.

The effect of Nd:YAG laser membranotomy and intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator with gas on massive diabetic premacular hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the combined therapeutic effects of Nd:YAG laser membranotomy and intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) (Actilyse; Boehringer Ingelheim, Ingelheim, Germany) injection with perfluoropropane (C3F8, 100%) injection on massive diabetic premacular hemorrhage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nd:YAG laser membranotomy was performed on the hemorrhagic membrane of premacular hemorrhage, and tPA (25 microg/0.1 mL) was injected into the vitreous cavity of seven eyes with massive diabetic premacular hemorrhage. For each procedure 0.2 mL of C3F8 was also injected. RESULTS: After the combined therapy, the patients recovered vision within 4 weeks and the hemorrhages were completely absorbed within 8 weeks. Visual acuity at the last follow-up visit improved to a mean of 10 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution lines in all cases. There were no associated ophthalmic complications. CONCLUSION: The combined therapy resulted in resolution of premacular hemorrhages with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and may allow for faster resolution of premacular hemorrhages and lessen the need for vitrectomy.

Comparison of the effect of intracameral moxifloxacin, levofloxacin and cefazolin on rabbit corneal endothelial cells.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect on corneal endothelial cells among intracameral moxifloxacin, levofloxacin and cefazoline in rabbits. METHODS: Thirty-six eyes from eighteen rabbits were divided into four groups. The control solution (balanced salt solution), cefazolin 1000 microg/0.1 mL, levofloxain 500 microg/0.1 mL or moxifloxacin 500 microg/0.1 mL was injected into the anterior chamber of the rabbit eye. The central corneal thickness was assessed before the injection of intracameral antibiotics. Endothelial toxicity was evaluated according to the central corneal thickness, specular microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy 1 day after injection. RESULTS: Before the injection, the central corneal thickness was not different among four groups. After injection, there was no significant difference of the corneal thickness and endothelial cell count between the control and study groups. The central corneal thickness after injection of antibiotics did not significantly change when compared with control. Scanning electron microscopy showed normal hexagonality. Normal architecture of the endothelial cells was noted in transmission electron microscopy in all four groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intracameral injection of antibiotics (cefazolin 1000 microg/0.1 mL, levofloxain 500 microg/0.1 mL, moxifloxacin 500 microg/0.1 mL) did not show significant toxicity on the endothelial cells compared with the control group. Intracameral injection of one of these antibiotics appears to be safe for surgical prophylaxis.