Systemic Hypertension Effects on the Ciliary Body and Iris. An Immunofluorescence Study with Aquaporin 1, Aquaporin 4, and Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase in Hypertensive Rats

Ultrasound cyclo-plasty for moderate glaucoma: Eighteen-month results from a prospective study

Purpose

To evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy of ultrasound cyclo-plasty (UCP) in the treatment of moderate glaucoma and molecular effects in animal experiments.

Methods

An 18-month clinical study was conducted among 32 patients with moderate glaucoma. The primary outcome was surgical success, defined as a reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) of greater than or equal to 20% from the baseline and an IOP value of greater than 5 mmHg at the last follow-up. The secondary outcomes were related to the quality of life, complications, and mean IOP value at each follow-up. In the animal experiment, 20 New Zealand rabbits were used to establish a high-IOP model and implement UCP. The distribution of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the ciliary body and the tissue changes under electron microscopy were observed after surgery.

Results

The mean patient IOP decreased from 34.9 ± 4.9 mmHg before surgery to 23.5 ± 5.2 mmHg at 18 months after UCP. No vision loss occurred in any patient. Some patients had postoperative complications, but the symptoms were mild and disappeared within 3 months after the surgery. Most patients had good postoperative quality of life. Histology showed that AQP4 remained in the ciliary muscle after UCP, and only the bilayered epithelial cells showed coagulative necrosis. Furthermore, electron microscopic observation revealed the destruction of ciliary process cells covered by ultrasound after UCP.

Conclusion

UCP is associated with mild postoperative reactions and the mild treatment of ciliary tissue and is a safe and effective method for reducing IOP in moderate glaucoma.

Altered Expression of AQP1 and AQP4 in Brain Barriers and Cerebrospinal Fluid May Affect Cerebral Water Balance during Chronic Hypertension

Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular affection and premature death worldwide. The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is the most common animal model of hypertension, which is characterized by secondary ventricular dilation and hydrocephalus. Aquaporin (AQP) 1 and 4 are the main water channels responsible for the brain’s water balance. The present study focuses on defining the expression of AQPs through the time course of the development of spontaneous chronic hypertension. We performed immunofluorescence and ELISA to examine brain AQPs from 10 SHR, and 10 Wistar−Kyoto (WKY) rats studied at 6 and 12 months old. There was a significant decrease in AQP1 in the choroid plexus of the SHR-12-months group compared with the age-matched control (p < 0.05). In the ependyma, AQP4 was significantly decreased only in the SHR-12-months group compared with the control or SHR-6-months groups (p < 0.05). Per contra, AQP4 increased in astrocytes end-feet of 6 months and 12 months SHR rats (p < 0.05). CSF AQP detection was higher in the SHR-12-months group than in the age-matched control group. CSF findings were confirmed by Western blot. In SHR, ependymal and choroidal AQPs decreased over time, while CSF AQPs levels increased. In turn, astrocytes AQP4 increased in SHR rats. These AQP alterations may underlie hypertensive-dependent ventriculomegaly.

Association of Exercise Intensity with the Prevalence of Glaucoma and Intraocular Pressure in Men: A Study Based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Adequate exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing ageing-related diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the associations between exercise and glaucoma, as well as exercise and intraocular pressure (IOP) levels. This study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2008–2012, which in total included 10,243 men aged ≥40 years. The presence of glaucoma and the higher IOP of each eye (IOPmax) taken from the health examination survey and the ophthalmic examination were used for analyses. A questionnaire was used to assess exercise activity, which was analysed regarding intensity, frequency, and duration. Regression analyses were used to determine the relationships of exercise parameters with the odds of glaucoma and IOPmax. The prevalence of glaucoma was significantly lower in men who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise compared to those who did not exercise (p = 0.012). The odds for glaucoma were the lowest in men engaged in vigorous intensity exercise (p = 0.009). However, IOPmax was highest in the vigorous intensity exercise group (p = 0.026) with no linear trend pattern. These results suggest that exercise decreased the odds of glaucoma via several factors including non-IOP mechanisms.

Ocular Hypotonia and Transient Decrease of Vision as a Consequence of Exposure to a Common Toad Poison

The common toad produces venom (bufotoxin) that is produced in the parotid gland of the toad as well as in the skin. This toxic compound is a potent inhibitor of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity. Physiological effects of bufotoxin are similar to those of digitalis and cause increased heart rate and muscle contractions. Ocular toxicity was described. A 67-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency service because of sudden vision loss and a burning sensation in both eyes after she had been exposed to the poison of a toad. Slit lamp examination showed conjunctival hyperaemia and signs of ocular hypotonia. Topical antibiotic treatment was administered, and after 24 hours, corneal oedema and ocular hypotonia were in remission. Inhibition of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase is a well-known effect of the toad venom. Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase is a part of corneal endothelial cells, ciliary body, and iris, and its inhibition caused by exposure to bufadienolides induces corneal dysfunction, decreased vision, and ocular hypotonia. Effects of bufadienolides on the decrease of ocular pressure appear to be very strong, with quick action. This rarely described effect of the bufotoxin can be used as a basis for further research of toad venom and its pharmacological potential. Purpose. To present a case of a 67-year-old female patient who experienced a sudden decrease in vision after exposure to the poison from a common toad (Bufo bufo).

PTPN11 (SHP2) Is Indispensable for Growth Factors and Cytokine Signal Transduction During Bovine Oocyte Maturation and Blastocyst Development

This study was aimed to investigate the role of SHP2 (Src-homology-2-containing phosphotyrosine phosphatase) in intricate signaling networks invoked by bovine oocyte to achieve maturation and blastocyst development. PTPN11 (Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, non-receptor type 11) encoding protein SHP2, a positive transducer of RTKs (Receptor Tyrosine Kinases) and cytokine receptors, can play a significant role in bovine oocyte maturation and embryo development, but this phenomenon has not yet been explored. Here, we used different growth factors, cytokines, selective activator, and a specific inhibitor of SHP2 to ascertain its role in bovine oocyte developmental stages in vitro. We found that SHP2 became activated by growth factors and cytokines treatment and was highly involved in the activation of oocyte maturation and embryo development pathways. Activation of SHP2 triggered MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinases) and PI3K/AKT (Phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Protein kinase B) signaling cascades, which is not only important for GVBD (germinal vesical breakdown) induction but also for maternal mRNA translation. Inhibition of phosphatase activity of SHP2 with PHPS1 (Phenylhydrazonopyrazolone sulfonate 1) reduced oocytes maturation as well as bovine blastocyst ICM (inner cell mass) volume. Supplementation of LIF (Leukemia Inhibitory Factor) to embryos showed an unconventional direct relation between p-SHP2 and p-STAT3 (Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) for blastocyst ICM development. Other than growth factors and cytokines, cisplatin was used to activate SHP2. Cisplatin activated SHP2 modulate growth factors effect and combine treatment significantly enhanced quality and rate of developed blastocysts.