Methods of Assessment of the Corneas of the Eyes Laboratory Rabbits Exposed to Solar Ultraviolet‐B Radiation

Cytoprotective Effects of Water Soluble Dihydropyrimidinthione Derivative Against UV-B Induced Human Corneal Epithelial Cell Photodamage

Excessive UV-B exposure is well known to be a risk factor for corneal phototoxicity including direct DNA damage and disturbances in the antioxidant balance. Here, we showed a successful synthesis of a water-soluble and biocompatible small molecule DHPM 1 with dihydropyrimidinthione skeleton, which could effectively protect human corneal epithelial (HCE-2) cells from UV-B damage. In separate experiments, DHPM 1 absorbed UV-B rays and exhibited scavenging activity against intracellular ROS induced by UV-B radiation, thereby reducing the levels of DNA fragmentation. Additionally, UV-B exposure increased the expression of cleaved caspase-3, as well as the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 at protein levels, while pretreatment with DHPM 1 significantly reversed these changes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a study based on dihydropyrimidinthione derivatives to develop a promising eye drops, which may well find extensive applications in UV-B caused corneal damage.

Short term effects of continuous lighting on the cornea of cage-reared laboratory rabbits

This study was to assess the impact on the cornea and eye blink activity of adapting rabbits to continuous lighting (CL) compared to a 14:10 light:dark cycle. Female New Zealand White rabbits (2 to 2.5 kg) were maintained under a light: dark (L:D) cycle or switched to continuous fluorescent lighting (CL) for an average of 17 +/- 2 days. Animal behaviour in their cages was manually recorded using an event marker and in vivo slitlamp biomicroscopy at 40× undertaken in mid-afternoon. Animals were then euthanized and the corneas prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). From images taken at 500× from the central region of the corneas, the number of exfoliating (desquamating) cells and the relative number of different cells with light, medium or dark reflexes were assessed for the corneal epithelial surface, while the number of cells/unit area were assessed for both corneal epithelium and endothelium. Exposure to continuous lighting was associated with higher number of eye blink events (15.7 vs 8.2/15 min) and mild corneal surface alterations evident by biomicroscopy with higher numbers of intra-epithelial 'granules' (32 +/- 14 vs. 4 +/- 3/sq. mm). SEM revealed low numbers of exfoliating cells on the corneal epithelial surface in all CL-adapted animals, but not in L:D controls. Trends were observed for there to be slightly higher numbers of epithelial cells/unit area, higher numbers of small light reflex cells and lower numbers of larger dark reflex cells in CL animals. The corneal endothelium showed no obvious adverse effects in CL-adapted animals but the percentage of 'hexagonal' cells was slightly higher compared to L:D controls. The results indicate that even a short period of exposure of laboratory-raised rabbits to constant lighting can be associated with mild adverse effects on the corneal epithelial surface.