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Ayoubi M, Cabrera K, Locatelli EVT, Felix ER, Galor A. Associations between Corneal Nerve Structure and Function in a Veteran Population. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2513. [PMID: 38731042 PMCID: PMC11084432 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13092513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: We evaluate the relationship between corneal nerve structure and function in a veteran population. Methods: 83 veterans (mean age: 55 ± 5 years) seen at the Miami Veterans Affairs (VA) eye clinic were included in this study. Each individual filled out questionnaires to evaluate ocular symptoms (5-Item Dry Eye Questionnaire, DEQ5; Ocular Surface Disease Index, OSDI) and ocular pain (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS; Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory modified for the Eye, NPSI-Eye). The individuals also underwent an ocular surface examination that captured functional nerve tests including corneal sensation, corneal staining, and the Schirmer test for tear production. Corneal sub-basal nerve analysis was conducted using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) images with corneal nerve density, length, area, width, and fractal dimension captured. IVCM and functional corneal metrics from the right eye were examined using correlational and linear regression analysis. Results: Most corneal structural metrics were not related to functional metrics, except for weak correlations between various IVCM metrics and tear production. In addition, corneal nerve fiber area was positively related to corneal sensation (r = 0.3, p = 0.01). On linear regression analyses, only the corneal fractal dimension remained significantly related to tear production (β = -0.26, p = 0.02) and only the corneal nerve fiber area remained significantly related to corneal sensation (β = 0.3, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Most corneal nerve structural metrics did not relate to functional metrics in our veteran population, apart from a few weak correlations between structural metrics and tear production. This suggests that using corneal nerve anatomy alone may be insufficient for predicting corneal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ayoubi
- Surgical and Research Services, Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th Street, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (M.A.); (E.R.F.)
| | - Kimberly Cabrera
- Surgical and Research Services, Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th Street, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (M.A.); (E.R.F.)
| | - Elyana VT Locatelli
- Surgical and Research Services, Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th Street, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (M.A.); (E.R.F.)
| | - Elizabeth R. Felix
- Surgical and Research Services, Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th Street, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (M.A.); (E.R.F.)
| | - Anat Galor
- Surgical and Research Services, Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th Street, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (M.A.); (E.R.F.)
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 900 NW 17th Street, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Chin JY, Liu C, Lee IXY, Lin MTY, Cheng CY, Wong JHF, Teo CL, Mehta JS, Liu YC. Impact of Age on the Characteristics of Corneal Nerves and Corneal Epithelial Cells in Healthy Adults. Cornea 2024; 43:409-418. [PMID: 37643477 PMCID: PMC10906190 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate age-related changes in corneal nerves and corneal epithelial cell parameters and to establish age-adjusted reference values. METHODS A total of 7025 corneal nerve images and 4215 corneal epithelial images obtained using in vivo confocal microscopy from 281 eyes of 143 healthy participants were included. Seven corneal nerve parameters and 3 corneal epithelial cell parameters were quantified using 2 automatic analytic software and analyzed across 6 age groups ranging from 21 to 80 years. RESULTS There was a declining trend in all 7 nerve parameters with advancing age. In particular, corneal nerve fiber length and corneal nerve fiber density demonstrated a significant decrease in subjects aged 65 years or older compared with subjects younger than 65 years (10.8 ± 2.6 mm/mm 2 vs. 9.9 ± 2.0 mm/mm 2 , P = 0.011 in corneal nerve fiber length; 15.8 ± 5.2 fibers/mm 2 vs. 14.4 ± 4.3 fibers/mm 2 , P = 0.046 in corneal nerve fiber density), whereas corneal nerve fractal dimension demonstrated a borderline significant decrease ( P = 0.057). Similarly, there was a general declining trend in all epithelial cell parameters with advancing age. Corneal epithelial cell circularity was significantly lower in subjects aged 65 years and older as compared to subjects younger than 65 years (0.722 ± 0.021 μm 2 vs. 0.714 ± 0.021 μm 2 ; P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS Advancing age results in reduced corneal nerve metrics and alteration of corneal cell morphology. Aging effects should be considered when evaluating patients with corneal neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Ying Chin
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Chang Liu
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Isabelle Xin Yu Lee
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Molly Tzu Yu Lin
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Ching-Yu Cheng
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Epidemiology Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jipson Hon Fai Wong
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Cong Ling Teo
- Epidemiology Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S. Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Cornea and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; and
| | - Yu-Chi Liu
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Cornea and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; and
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Mokhtar SBA, van der Heide FCT, Oyaert KAM, van der Kallen CJH, Berendschot TTJM, Scarpa F, Colonna A, de Galan BE, van Greevenbroek MMJ, Dagnelie PC, Schalkwijk CG, Nuijts RMMA, Schaper NC, Kroon AA, Schram MT, Webers CAB, Stehouwer CDA. (Pre)diabetes and a higher level of glycaemic measures are continuously associated with corneal neurodegeneration assessed by corneal confocal microscopy: the Maastricht Study. Diabetologia 2023; 66:2030-2041. [PMID: 37589735 PMCID: PMC10541833 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-023-05986-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS To assess the associations between glucose metabolism status and a range of continuous measures of glycaemia with corneal nerve fibre measures, as assessed using corneal confocal microscopy. METHODS We used population-based observational cross-sectional data from the Maastricht Study of N=3471 participants (mean age 59.4 years, 48.4% men, 14.7% with prediabetes, 21.0% with type 2 diabetes) to study the associations, after adjustment for demographic, cardiovascular risk and lifestyle factors, between glucose metabolism status (prediabetes and type 2 diabetes vs normal glucose metabolism) plus measures of glycaemia (fasting plasma glucose, 2 h post-load glucose, HbA1c, skin autofluorescence [SAF] and duration of diabetes) and composite Z-scores of corneal nerve fibre measures or individual corneal nerve fibre measures (corneal nerve bifurcation density, corneal nerve density, corneal nerve length and fractal dimension). We used linear regression analysis, and, for glucose metabolism status, performed a linear trend analysis. RESULTS After full adjustment, a more adverse glucose metabolism status was associated with a lower composite Z-score for corneal nerve fibre measures (β coefficients [95% CI], prediabetes vs normal glucose metabolism -0.08 [-0.17, 0.03], type 2 diabetes vs normal glucose metabolism -0.14 [-0.25, -0.04]; linear trend analysis showed a p value of 0.001), and higher levels of measures of glycaemia (fasting plasma glucose, 2 h post-load glucose, HbA1c, SAF and duration of diabetes) were all significantly associated with a lower composite Z-score for corneal nerve fibre measures (per SD: -0.09 [-0.13, -0.05], -0.07 [-0.11, -0.03], -0.08 [-0.11, -0.04], -0.05 [-0.08, -0.01], -0.09 [-0.17, -0.001], respectively). In general, directionally similar associations were observed for individual corneal nerve fibre measures. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION To our knowledge, this is the first population-based study to show that a more adverse glucose metabolism status and higher levels of glycaemic measures were all linearly associated with corneal neurodegeneration after adjustment for an extensive set of potential confounders. Our results indicate that glycaemia-associated corneal neurodegeneration is a continuous process that starts before the onset of type 2 diabetes. Further research is needed to investigate whether early reduction of hyperglycaemia can prevent corneal neurodegeneration.
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Grants
- the Cardiovascular Center (CVC, Maastricht, the Netherlands)
- Sanofi-Aventis Netherlands B.V. (Gouda, the Netherlands)
- Perimed (Järfälla, Sweden)
- Janssen-Cilag B.V. (Tilburg, the Netherlands)
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases (Maastricht, the Netherlands)
- MHeNS School of Mental Health and Neuroscience (Maastricht, the Netherlands)
- CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care (Maastricht, the Netherlands)
- Stichting De Weijerhorst (Maastricht, the Netherlands)
- Health Foundation Limburg (Maastricht, the Netherlands)
- uropean Regional Development Fund via OP-Zuid, the Province of Limburg, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs
- Stichting Annadal (Maastricht, the Netherlands)
- Novo Nordisk Farma B.V. (Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands)
- NUTRIM School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (Maastricht, the Netherlands)
- the Pearl String Initiative Diabetes (Amsterdam, the Netherlands)
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara B A Mokhtar
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
- School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Frank C T van der Heide
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Karel A M Oyaert
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Carla J H van der Kallen
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Tos T J M Berendschot
- School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Fabio Scarpa
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessia Colonna
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Bastiaan E de Galan
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marleen M J van Greevenbroek
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Pieter C Dagnelie
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Casper G Schalkwijk
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Rudy M M A Nuijts
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Nicolaas C Schaper
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Disease, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Abraham A Kroon
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Heart and Vascular Center, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Miranda T Schram
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Heart and Vascular Center, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Carroll A B Webers
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Coen D A Stehouwer
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Sierra-Silvestre E, Andrade RJ, Colorado LH, Edwards K, Coppieters MW. Occurrence of corneal sub-epithelial microneuromas and axonal swelling in people with diabetes with and without (painful) diabetic neuropathy. Diabetologia 2023; 66:1719-1734. [PMID: 37301795 PMCID: PMC10257488 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-023-05945-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Non-invasive in vivo corneal confocal microscopy is gaining ground as an alternative to skin punch biopsy to evaluate small-diameter nerve fibre characteristics. This study aimed to further explore corneal nerve fibre pathology in diabetic neuropathy. METHODS This cross-sectional study quantified and compared corneal nerve morphology and microneuromas in participants without diabetes (n=27), participants with diabetes but without distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN; n=33), participants with non-painful DSPN (n=25) and participants with painful DSPN (n=18). Clinical and electrodiagnostic criteria were used to diagnose DSPN. ANCOVA was used to compare nerve fibre morphology in the central cornea and inferior whorl, and the number of corneal sub-epithelial microneuromas between groups. Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the type and presence of corneal sub-epithelial microneuromas and axonal swelling between groups. RESULTS Various corneal nerve morphology metrics, such as corneal nerve fibre length and density, showed a progressive decline across the groups (p<0.001). In addition, axonal swelling was present more frequently (p=0.018) and in higher numbers (p=0.03) in participants with painful compared with non-painful DSPN. The frequency of axonal distension, a type of microneuroma, was increased in participants with painful and non-painful DSPN compared to participants with diabetes but without DSPN and participants without diabetes (all p≤0.042). The combined presence of all microneuromas and axonal swelling was increased in participants with painful DSPN compared with all other groups (p≤0.026). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION Microneuromas and axonal swelling in the cornea increase in prevalence from participants with diabetes to participants with non-painful DSPN and participants with painful DSPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Sierra-Silvestre
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences - Musculoskeletal Health Program, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ricardo J Andrade
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Movement - Interactions - Performance (MIP), Nantes University, Nantes, France
| | - Luisa H Colorado
- Centre for Vision and Eye Research, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Katie Edwards
- Centre for Vision and Eye Research, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Michel W Coppieters
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences - Musculoskeletal Health Program, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Zhang Z, Lu S, Jiang Y, Sun S. Assessing the corneal sub-basal nerve plexus by in vivo confocal microscopy in patients with blepharoptosis. Ann Med 2022; 54:227-234. [PMID: 35014936 PMCID: PMC8757600 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2021.2024246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To assess in vivo confocal microscopy features of corneal sub-basal nerve plexus in patients with congenital or aponeurogenic blepharoptosis using a fully automated software (ACCMetrics). PATIENTS AND METHODS This prospective study included 33 patients with blepharoptosis and 17 normal controls. The corneal sub-basal nerve plexus was assessed using in vivo confocal microscopy, and the ocular surface status was evaluated by tear break-up times. RESULTS The mean age of 33 patients with blepharoptosis and 17 normal controls were 38.77 ± 22.81 years and 48.35 ± 17.15 years, respectively. The mean duration of blepharoptosis was 16.42 ± 15.60 years. In 13 patients with unilateral blepharoptosis, there was no significant difference between affected eyes and contralateral eyes (all ps > .05), except for wider corneal nerve fibre width (CNFW) in affected eyes (0.024 ± 0.001 versus 0.023 ± 0.001 mm/mm2, p = .021). In 20 patients with bilateral blepharoptosis, there was no significant difference between the eyes. No significant difference was detected between 19 cases with congenital blepharoptosis and 14 cases with aponeurogenic blepharoptosis. When compared with normal controls, eyes with both unilateral and bilateral blepharoptosis had significantly wider CNFW. But from the point of aetiology, only eyes with congenital blepharoptosis presented with wider CNFW (p = .001), rather than the eyes with aponeurogenic blepharoptosis (p = .093). Besides, four young patients with congenital blepharoptosis revealed very sparse sub-basal nerve plexus. CONCLUSIONS These data suggested that corneal confocal microscopy demonstrated no significant changes in patients with blepharoptosis as compared with normal controls, except for relatively wider CNFW in congenital affected eyes. However, in some children and young adults with congenital blepharoptosis, the density of corneal sub-basal nerve plexus was evidently decreased, which needs to be cautioned when ones with congenital blepharoptosis want to take corneal surgeries or wear contact lens.Key messagesWhen compared with normal controls, no significant effect was found in the influence of blepharoptosis on the most of corneal nerve parameters, except for corneal nerve fibre width (CNFW) in the group of congenital blepharoptosis.The age of onset of blepharoptosis may influence corneal nerve fibres, so timely surgical treatment of congenital blepharoptosis is not only conducive to the development of normal vision, but also beneficial to the reduction of corneal nerve lesions to some extent.We noted that some young blepharoptosis patients revealed sparse corneal nerve, which should be taken precaution when ones with congenital blepharoptosis who want to take corneal surgeries or wear contact lens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengwei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China.,Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Shui Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China.,Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunjia Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China.,Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China.,Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
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Chiang JCB, Goldstein D, Trinh T, Au K, Park SB, Krishnan AV, Markoulli M. Tear film substance P in patients treated with neurotoxic chemotherapy. Exp Eye Res 2022; 224:109253. [PMID: 36165925 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neurotoxic chemotherapy has been shown to be associated with reduced corneal nerves and ocular surface discomfort. Substance P is a neuropeptide expressed by sensory nerves including those in the densely innervated cornea. It is involved in both pain signaling and the regulation of epithelial and neural health. While its levels in tear fluids have been used as a neuropathic biomarker in diabetes, investigations of tear concentrations of substance P in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy have not been explored. The current cross-sectional study assessed substance P expression in tears of patients following neurotoxic chemotherapy treatment. Patients treated with paclitaxel (n = 35) or oxaliplatin (n = 30) 3-24 months prior to assessment were recruited along with healthy controls (n = 25). Flush tear collection, in-vivo corneal confocal microscopy and neurotoxicity assessments were also conducted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure substance P concentrations in collected tears, while total protein content (TPC) was measured with the bicinchoninic acid method (BCA). General linear models were used for statistical analysis. Substance P concentration was reduced in paclitaxel-treated patients [Median (Interquartile range, IQR): 1.11 (0.20-2.24) ng/ml)] compared to the oxaliplatin group [4.28 (1.01-10.73) ng/ml, p = 0.02]. Substance P expressed as a proportion of TPC was also lower in the paclitaxel group [0.00006 (0.00001-0.00010) %] compared to the oxaliplatin group [0.00018 (0.00008-0.00040) %, p = 0.005]. Substance P concentration and its percentage in TPC were also reduced in the paclitaxel group when compared to healthy controls [4.61 (1.35-18.51) ng/ml, p = 0.02; 0.00020 (0.00006-0.00060) %, p = 0.04, respectively]. Higher cumulative dose of paclitaxel was correlated with a reduction in substance P concentrations (r = -0.40, p = 0.037), however no associations were found with corneal nerve parameters or neuropathy severity (p > 0.05). While these findings show evidence for the dysregulation of tear film substance P following paclitaxel treatment, longitudinal studies should be conducted to investigate how substance P levels in tears change during treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Goldstein
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Terry Trinh
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kimberley Au
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Susanna B Park
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Arun V Krishnan
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Maria Markoulli
- School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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7
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Chiang JCB, Khou V, Tavakoli A, Park SB, Goldstein D, Krishnan AV, Markoulli M. Reproducibility and Reliability of Subbasal Corneal Nerve Parameters of the Inferior Whorl in the Neurotoxic and Healthy Cornea. Cornea 2022; 41:1487-1494. [PMID: 36155558 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000002947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of subbasal corneal nerve plexus parameters of the inferior whorl compared with the central cornea with in vivo corneal confocal microscopy and to investigate the impact of inferior whorl pattern complexity on reproducibility. METHODS Subbasal corneal nerves of healthy controls (n = 10) and patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (n = 10) were imaged with a laser scanning confocal microscope. Two masked, experienced observers and the original image taker were tasked with selecting representative images of the central cornea and inferior whorl for each participant. This was conducted on 2 occasions 1 week apart. Corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL) and fractal dimension (CNFrD) [central cornea: CNFL and CNFrD; inferior whorl region: inferior whorl length (IWL) and inferior whorl fractal dimension (IWFrD)] were analyzed. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was analyzed for interobserver and intraobserver reliability. Inferior whorl complexity was classified according to the ease of identification of the center point of convergence. RESULTS Interobserver ICC was 0.992 for CNFL, 0.994 for CNFrD, 0.980 for IWL, and 0.954 for IWFrD. When analyzed by inferior whorl complexity, the interobserver reliability was similar for simple (0.987 for IWL; 0.960 for IWFrD) and complex patterns (0.967 for IWL; 0.949 for IWFrD). However, intraobserver ICC were reduced for complex (IWL 0.841-0.970; IWFrD 0.830-0.955) compared with simple patterns (IWL 0.931-0.970; IWFrD 0.921-0.969). CONCLUSIONS Although the overall interobserver reliability was excellent for the central corneal and inferior whorl parameters, there was lower intraobserver reliability for the inferior whorl parameters for complex morphological patterns. To improve reliability, more sophisticated wide-field imaging of the inferior whorl may be needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Chung Bo Chiang
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Vincent Khou
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Centre for Eye Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Azadeh Tavakoli
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Susanna B Park
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - David Goldstein
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; and.,Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Arun V Krishnan
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; and
| | - Maria Markoulli
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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8
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Petropoulos IN, Bitirgen G, Ferdousi M, Kalteniece A, Azmi S, D'Onofrio L, Lim SH, Ponirakis G, Khan A, Gad H, Mohammed I, Mohammadi YE, Malik A, Gosal D, Kobylecki C, Silverdale M, Soran H, Alam U, Malik RA. Corneal Confocal Microscopy to Image Small Nerve Fiber Degeneration: Ophthalmology Meets Neurology. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2022; 2:725363. [PMID: 35295436 PMCID: PMC8915697 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2021.725363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain has multiple etiologies, but a major feature is small fiber dysfunction or damage. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is a rapid non-invasive ophthalmic imaging technique that can image small nerve fibers in the cornea and has been utilized to show small nerve fiber loss in patients with diabetic and other neuropathies. CCM has comparable diagnostic utility to intraepidermal nerve fiber density for diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia and amyloid neuropathy and predicts the development of diabetic neuropathy. Moreover, in clinical intervention trials of patients with diabetic and sarcoid neuropathy, corneal nerve regeneration occurs early and precedes an improvement in symptoms and neurophysiology. Corneal nerve fiber loss also occurs and is associated with disease progression in multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and dementia. We conclude that corneal confocal microscopy has good diagnostic and prognostic capability and fulfills the FDA criteria as a surrogate end point for clinical trials in peripheral and central neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gulfidan Bitirgen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Maryam Ferdousi
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alise Kalteniece
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Shazli Azmi
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Luca D'Onofrio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Sze Hway Lim
- Department of Neurology, Salford Royal National Health System (NHS) Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Adnan Khan
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hoda Gad
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ibrahim Mohammed
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Ayesha Malik
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - David Gosal
- Department of Neurology, Salford Royal National Health System (NHS) Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Kobylecki
- Department of Neurology, Salford Royal National Health System (NHS) Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Monty Silverdale
- Department of Neurology, Salford Royal National Health System (NHS) Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Handrean Soran
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Uazman Alam
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Clinical Sciences Centre, Pain Research Institute, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool University Hospital National Health System (NHS) Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar.,Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
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9
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Malik RA, Efron N. Corneal Confocal Microscopy and the Nervous System: Introduction to the Special Issue. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11061475. [PMID: 35329801 PMCID: PMC8953792 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11061475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rayaz A. Malik
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Research Division, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar;
| | - Nathan Efron
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
- Correspondence:
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10
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Che NN, Jiang QH, Ding GX, Chen SY, Zhao ZX, Li X, Malik RA, Ma JJ, Yang HQ. Corneal nerve fiber loss relates to cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson’s disease. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2021; 7:80. [PMID: 34504084 PMCID: PMC8429586 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-021-00225-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD) adversely influences quality of life. There is currently no available biomarker to predict cognitive decline in PD. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) has been used as a non-invasive tool for quantifying small nerve damage in PD. The present study investigated whether corneal nerve measures were associated with cognitive function in PD. Patients with PD were classified into those with normal cognitive function (PD-CN), mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), and dementia (PDD). Corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD), and corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL) were quantified with CCM and compared with a control group. Sixty-five PD patients and thirty controls were studied. CNFD was decreased and CNBD was increased in PD patients compared to controls (P < 0.05). CNBD and CNBD/CNFD ratio was higher in PD-CN compared to controls. CNFD was positively correlated with the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) score (r = 0.683, P < 0.001), but negatively associated with unified Parkinson disease rating scale (UPDRS)-part III (r = −0.481, P < 0.001) and total UPDRS scores (r = −0.401, P = 0.001) in PD patients. There was no correlation between CNFD and Levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) (r = 0.176, P = 0.161). CNFD, CNBD, CNFL, and CNBD/CNFD ratio was lower with increasing Hoehn and Yahr stage. PD patients show evidence of corneal nerve loss compared with controls and corneal nerve parameters are associated with the severity of cognitive and motor dysfunction in PD. CCM could serve as an objective in vivo ophthalmic imaging technique to assess neurodegeneration in PD.
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11
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Burgess J, Ferdousi M, Gosal D, Boon C, Matsumoto K, Marshall A, Mak T, Marshall A, Frank B, Malik RA, Alam U. Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Epidemiology, Pathomechanisms and Treatment. Oncol Ther 2021; 9:385-450. [PMID: 34655433 PMCID: PMC8593126 DOI: 10.1007/s40487-021-00168-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This review provides an update on the current clinical, epidemiological and pathophysiological evidence alongside the diagnostic, prevention and treatment approach to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). FINDINGS The incidence of cancer and long-term survival after treatment is increasing. CIPN affects sensory, motor and autonomic nerves and is one of the most common adverse events caused by chemotherapeutic agents, which in severe cases leads to dose reduction or treatment cessation, with increased mortality. The primary classes of chemotherapeutic agents associated with CIPN are platinum-based drugs, taxanes, vinca alkaloids, bortezomib and thalidomide. Platinum agents are the most neurotoxic, with oxaliplatin causing the highest prevalence of CIPN. CIPN can progress from acute to chronic, may deteriorate even after treatment cessation (a phenomenon known as coasting) or only partially attenuate. Different chemotherapeutic agents share both similarities and key differences in pathophysiology and clinical presentation. The diagnosis of CIPN relies heavily on identifying symptoms, with limited objective diagnostic approaches targeting the class of affected nerve fibres. Studies have consistently failed to identify at-risk cohorts, and there are no proven strategies or interventions to prevent or limit the development of CIPN. Furthermore, multiple treatments developed to relieve symptoms and to modify the underlying disease in CIPN have failed. IMPLICATIONS The increasing prevalence of CIPN demands an objective approach to identify at-risk patients in order to prevent or limit progression and effectively alleviate the symptoms associated with CIPN. An evidence base for novel targets and both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments is beginning to emerge and has been recognised recently in publications by the American Society of Clinical Oncology and analgesic trial design expert groups such as ACTTION.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Burgess
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, The Pain Research Institute, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool University Hospital NHS Trust, Liverpool, UK.
- Clinical Sciences Centre, Aintree University Hospital, Longmoor Lane, Liverpool, L9 7AL, UK.
| | - Maryam Ferdousi
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, NIHR/Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Manchester, UK
| | - David Gosal
- Department of Neurology, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK
| | - Cheng Boon
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, UK
| | - Kohei Matsumoto
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, The Pain Research Institute, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool University Hospital NHS Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Anne Marshall
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, The Pain Research Institute, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool University Hospital NHS Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Tony Mak
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Andrew Marshall
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, The Pain Research Institute, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L9 7AL, UK
- Department of Pain Medicine, The Walton Centre, Liverpool, L9 7LJ, UK
| | - Bernhard Frank
- Department of Pain Medicine, The Walton Centre, Liverpool, L9 7LJ, UK
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- Research Division, Qatar Foundation, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Doha, Qatar
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Uazman Alam
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, The Pain Research Institute, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool University Hospital NHS Trust, Liverpool, UK.
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Gastroenterology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
- Clinical Sciences Centre, Aintree University Hospital, Longmoor Lane, Liverpool, L9 7AL, UK.
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12
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Badian RA, Andréasson M, Svenningsson P, Utheim TP, Lagali N. The pattern of the inferocentral whorl region of the corneal subbasal nerve plexus is altered with age. Ocul Surf 2021; 22:204-212. [PMID: 34450219 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2021.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe the pattern of the nerves in the inferocentral whorl region of the human corneal subbasal nerve plexus (SBNP) in health and diseases known to affect the subbasal nerves. METHODS Laser-scanning in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) was used to image the SBNP bilaterally in 91 healthy subjects, 39 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and 43 subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD). Whorl regions were classified according to nerve orientation relative to age and health/disease status. RESULTS Of 346 examined eyes, 300 (86.7%) had an identifiable whorl pattern. In healthy subjects, a clockwise nerve orientation of the whorl was most common (67.9%), followed by non-rotatory or 'seam' morphology (21.4%), and counterclockwise (10.7%). The clockwise orientation was more prevalent in healthy subjects than in T2DM or PD (P < 0.001). Healthy individuals below 50 years of age had a predominantly clockwise orientation (93.8%) which was reduced to 51.9% in those over 50 years (P < 0.001). Age but not disease status explained whorl orientation in T2DM and PD groups. Moreover, whorl orientation is bilaterally clockwise in the young, but adopts other orientations and becomes asymmetric across eyes with age. Finally, we report reflective 'dot-like' features confined to the whorl region of the subbasal plexus, sometimes appearing in close association with subbasal nerves and present in 84-93% of examined eyes regardless of disease status, eye or sex. CONCLUSION Subbasal nerves in the inferocentral whorl region are predominantly clockwise in young, healthy corneas. With aging and conditions of T2DM and PD, counterclockwise and non-rotatory configurations increase in prevalence, and bilateral symmetry is lost. Mechanisms regulating these changes warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza A Badian
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Mattias Andréasson
- Center for Neurology, Academic Specialist Center, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Svenningsson
- Center for Neurology, Academic Specialist Center, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tor Paaske Utheim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Department of Ophthalmology, Sørlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Norway
| | - Neil Lagali
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sørlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Norway; Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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13
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Chiang JCB, Goldstein D, Park SB, Krishnan AV, Markoulli M. Corneal nerve changes following treatment with neurotoxic anticancer drugs. Ocul Surf 2021; 21:221-237. [PMID: 34144206 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2021.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Survival rates of cancer has improved with the development of anticancer drugs including systemic chemotherapeutic agents. However, long-lasting side effects could impact treated patients. Neurotoxic anticancer drugs are specific agents which cause chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a debilitating condition that severely deteriorates quality of life of cancer patients and survivors. The ocular surface is also prone to neurotoxicity but investigation into the effects of neurotoxic chemotherapy on the ocular surface has been more limited compared to other systemic etiologies such as diabetes. There is also no standardized protocol for CIPN diagnosis with an absence of a reliable, objective method of observing nerve damage structurally. As the cornea is the most densely innervated region of the body, researchers have started to focus on corneal neuropathic changes that are associated with neurotoxic chemotherapy treatment. In-vivo corneal confocal microscopy enables rapid and objective structural imaging of ocular surface microscopic structures such as corneal nerves, while esthesiometers provide means of functional assessment by examining corneal sensitivity. The current article explores the current guidelines and gaps in our knowledge of CIPN diagnosis and the potential role of in-vivo corneal confocal microscopy as a diagnostic or prognostic tool. Corneal neuropathic changes with neurotoxic anticancer drugs from animal research progressing through to human clinical studies are also discussed, with a focus on how these data inform our understanding of CIPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Chung Bo Chiang
- School of Optometry & Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - David Goldstein
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Susanna B Park
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Arun V Krishnan
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Maria Markoulli
- School of Optometry & Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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14
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Han MM, Frizzi KE, Ellis RJ, Calcutt NA, Fields JA. Prevention of HIV-1 TAT Protein-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Mitochondrial Disruption by the Antimuscarinic Pirenzepine. Front Neurol 2021; 12:663373. [PMID: 34211430 PMCID: PMC8239242 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.663373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-associated distal sensory polyneuropathy (HIV-DSP) affects about one third of people with HIV and is characterized by distal degeneration of axons. The pathogenesis of HIV-DSP is not known and there is currently no FDA-approved treatment. HIV trans-activator of transcription (TAT) is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and neurotoxicity in the brain and may play a role in the pathogenesis of HIV-DSP. In the present study, we measured indices of peripheral neuropathy in the doxycycline (DOX)-inducible HIV-TAT (iTAT) transgenic mouse and investigated the therapeutic efficacy of a selective muscarinic subtype-1 receptor (M1R) antagonist, pirenzepine (PZ). PZ was selected as we have previously shown that it prevents and/or reverses indices of peripheral neuropathy in multiple disease models. DOX alone induced weight loss, tactile allodynia and paw thermal hypoalgesia in normal C57Bl/6J mice. Conduction velocity of large motor fibers, density of small sensory nerve fibers in the cornea and expression of mitochondria-associated proteins in sciatic nerve were unaffected by DOX in normal mice, whereas these parameters were disrupted when DOX was given to iTAT mice to induce TAT expression. Daily injection of PZ (10 mg/kg s.c.) prevented all of the disorders associated with TAT expression. These studies demonstrate that TAT expression disrupts mitochondria and induces indices of sensory and motor peripheral neuropathy and that M1R antagonism may be a viable treatment for HIV-DSP. However, some indices of neuropathy in the DOX-inducible TAT transgenic mouse model can be ascribed to DOX treatment rather than TAT expression and data obtained from animal models in which gene expression is modified by DOX should be accompanied by appropriate controls and treated with due caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- May Madi Han
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Katie E Frizzi
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Ronald J Ellis
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Nigel A Calcutt
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Jerel Adam Fields
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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15
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Petropoulos IN, Ponirakis G, Ferdousi M, Azmi S, Kalteniece A, Khan A, Gad H, Bashir B, Marshall A, Boulton AJM, Soran H, Malik RA. Corneal Confocal Microscopy: A Biomarker for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Clin Ther 2021; 43:1457-1475. [PMID: 33965237 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Diagnosing early diabetic peripheral neuropathy remains a challenge due to deficiencies in currently advocated end points. The cornea is densely innervated with small sensory fibers, which are structurally and functionally comparable to intraepidermal nerve fibers. Corneal confocal microscopy is a method for rapid, noninvasive scanning of the living cornea with high resolution and magnification. METHODS This narrative review presents the framework for the development of biomarkers and the literature on the use and adoption of corneal confocal microscopy as an objective, diagnostic biomarker in experimental and clinical studies of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. A search was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar based on the terms "corneal confocal microscopy," "diabetic neuropathy," "corneal sensitivity," and "clinical trials." FINDINGS A substantial body of evidence underpins the thesis that corneal nerve loss predicts incident neuropathy and progresses with the severity of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Corneal confocal microscopy also identifies early corneal nerve regeneration, strongly arguing for its inclusion as a surrogate end point in clinical trials of disease-modifying therapies. IMPLICATIONS There are sufficient diagnostic and prospective validation studies to fulfill the US Food and Drug Administration criteria for a biomarker to support the inclusion of corneal confocal microscopy as a primary end point in clinical trials of disease-modifying therapies in diabetic neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maryam Ferdousi
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Shazli Azmi
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom; Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alise Kalteniece
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Adnan Khan
- Research Division, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hoda Gad
- Research Division, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Bilal Bashir
- Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Marshall
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Clinical Neurophysiology, The Walton Centre, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J M Boulton
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom; Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Handrean Soran
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- Research Division, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar; Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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16
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Singh P, Rawat A, Al-Jarrah B, Saraswathi S, Gad H, Elawad M, Hussain K, Hendaus MA, Al-Masri W, Malik RA, Al Khodor S, Akobeng AK. Distinctive Microbial Signatures and Gut-Brain Crosstalk in Pediatric Patients with Coeliac Disease and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041511. [PMID: 33546364 PMCID: PMC7913584 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coeliac disease (CD) and Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are immune-mediated diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that dysbiosis in the gut microbiome plays a role in the pathogenesis of both diseases and may also be associated with the development of neuropathy. The primary goal in this cross-sectional pilot study was to identify whether there are distinct gut microbiota alterations in children with CD (n = 19), T1DM (n = 18) and both CD and T1DM (n = 9) compared to healthy controls (n = 12). Our second goal was to explore the relationship between neuropathy (corneal nerve fiber damage) and the gut microbiome composition. Microbiota composition was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Corneal confocal microscopy was used to determine nerve fiber damage. There was a significant difference in the overall microbial diversity between the four groups with healthy controls having a greater microbial diversity as compared to the patients. The abundance of pathogenic proteobacteria Shigella and E. coli were significantly higher in CD patients. Differential abundance analysis showed that several bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) distinguished CD from T1DM. The tissue transglutaminase antibody correlated significantly with a decrease in gut microbial diversity. Furthermore, the Bacteroidetes phylum, specifically the genus Parabacteroides was significantly correlated with corneal nerve fiber loss in the subjects with neuropathic damage belonging to the diseased groups. We conclude that disease-specific gut microbial features traceable down to the ASV level distinguish children with CD from T1DM and specific gut microbial signatures may be associated with small fiber neuropathy. Further research on the mechanisms linking altered microbial diversity with neuropathy are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parul Singh
- Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar or (P.S.); (A.R.); (B.A.-J.)
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha 24404, Qatar
| | - Arun Rawat
- Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar or (P.S.); (A.R.); (B.A.-J.)
| | - Bara Al-Jarrah
- Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar or (P.S.); (A.R.); (B.A.-J.)
| | - Saras Saraswathi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar; (S.S.); (M.E.); (W.A.-M.); (A.K.A.)
| | - Hoda Gad
- Department Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha 24144, Qatar; (H.G.); (R.A.M.)
| | - Mamoun Elawad
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar; (S.S.); (M.E.); (W.A.-M.); (A.K.A.)
| | - Khalid Hussain
- Division of Endocrinology, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar;
| | | | - Wesam Al-Masri
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar; (S.S.); (M.E.); (W.A.-M.); (A.K.A.)
| | - Rayaz A. Malik
- Department Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha 24144, Qatar; (H.G.); (R.A.M.)
| | - Souhaila Al Khodor
- Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar or (P.S.); (A.R.); (B.A.-J.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Anthony K. Akobeng
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar; (S.S.); (M.E.); (W.A.-M.); (A.K.A.)
- Department Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha 24144, Qatar; (H.G.); (R.A.M.)
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