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At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed2007

Intraocular fluid-air exchange reduces retinal ganglion cell activity.

AIM: To demonstrate the influence of intraocular fluid-air exchange on retinal ganglion cell activity. METHODS: In two cats lensectomy and vitrectomy were performed in a two-step approach 2 weeks prior to recording experiments. To measure retinal activity, up to two fiber microelectrodes were inserted via a scleral port. Precise micromanipulator positioning of the electrodes' tips onto the inner retinal surface were verified by ophthalmoscopy and simultaneous electrical recording. Neuronal activity of the retina was continuously recorded with or without visual stimulation. We maintained the intraocular pressure constant at 29 mm Hg. Fluid-air exchange and fluid refill were performed with an infusion tube integrated in the manipulator and slowly to avoid direct mechanical/stream-based damage of the retina. RESULTS: We found that fluid-air exchange leads to a rapid reduction of spontaneous as well as visually evoked retinal ganglion cell activity. The activity started to diminish within few minutes, and then it halved approximately every 3 min. Even 1 h after eye fluid refill, the retinal activity recovered only partially. CONCLUSION: Decrease in retinal activity after fluid-air exchange can be explained by mechanical stress-induced drying of the inner retinal surface and by potential changes of extracellular ion concentration. Since even moderate airstream-based fluid-air exchanges can lead to retinal damage, the surgeon should minimize the quantity of air passing open sclerotomy sites until a better understanding of the retinal effects of this essential technique in modern vitrectomy is available.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1983

Glutathione bicarbonate Ringer's intraocular irrigation fluid. Prospective double-blind study.

In a prospective, double-blind, randomized, clinical trial, glutathione bicarbonate Ringer's (GBR) intraocular irrigation fluid was compared with Ringer's solution in 80 consecutive vitrectomies, with a mean follow-up of 5.8 months. No differences could be found with regard to visual acuity, corneal edema, anterior chamber flare, postoperative intraocular pressure greater than or equal to 30 mm Hg or phthisis bulbi. In this study, the superiority of GBR solution over Ringer's solution demonstrated in vitro could not be confirmed.

Bicarbonates↗

PubMed1986

Lymphocyte subpopulations in uveitis.

We have used a fluorescence-activated cell sorter to study the lymphocyte subpopulations in the intraocular fluids and peripheral blood of 27 patients with uveitis. T lymphocytes predominated in intraocular fluids. A wide variation in the ratio of Leu 3a-positive (helper) cells to Leu 2a-positive (suppressor) cells was found. No correlation was seen between the specific lymphocyte subpopulations and the clinical uveitis activity or steroid treatment. A statistically significant correlation was found between T-cell subsets present in aqueous humor and peripheral blood. Many lymphocytes seem to be present in intraocular fluids secondary to a breakdown of the blood-ocular barrier.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed2000

Rabbit pigmented ciliary epithelium produces interleukin-6 in response to inflammatory cytokines.

Interleukin-6 is a multifunctional cytokine that is found in high concentrations in intraocular fluids during the uveitic response. Although monocytic cells are a major source of interleukin-6, resident intraocular cells may also contribute to its accumulation in intraocular fluids during uveitis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether interleukin-6 is produced by pigmented ciliary epithelial cells and whether agents known to stimulate interleukin-6 production, such as interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, bacterial endotoxin, and stimulators of the adenylyl cyclase/adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate system, increase interleukin-6 production by these cells. Primary and first-passage cultures of nontransformed rabbit pigmented ciliary epithelial cells were incubated with the test agents for varying periods of time in serum-free medium and interleukin-6 levels in the cell-conditioned medium were measured by bioassay.Little, if any interleukin-6 was released from pigmented ciliary epithelial cells incubated for up to 18 hr in serum-free medium. Interleukin-1betastimulated interleukin-6 release in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, although ineffective alone, increased interleukin-1beta-induced interleukin-6 release in a concentration-dependent manner when co-incubated with interleukin-1betafor 18 hr. However, tumor necrosis factor-alphadid not enhance interleukin-1beta-induced interleukin-6 release if co-incubated with interleukin-1betafor a shorter time (6 hr). A 6 hr exposure to bacterial endotoxin did not stimulate interleukin-6 release from pigmented ciliary epithelial cells. Co-incubation of pigmented ciliary epithelial cells with interleukin-1betaand agents that stimulate the adenyl cyclase/adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate system through cell surface G-protein transduced receptors, i.e. isoproterenol, vasoactive intestinal peptide or prostaglandin E(2), significantly enhanced the ability of interleukin-1betato stimulate interleukin-6 release. However, neither the adenyl cyclase activator, forskolin or the adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate-mimetic, dibutyryl 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate enhanced interleukin-1beta-induced release of interleukin-6. These results indicate that the pigmented ciliary epithelium is one potential source of interleukin-6 and may contribute to the elevation in intraocular fluid interleukin-6 levels observed during various intraocular inflammatory episodes. Although agents that activate the adenyl cyclase/adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate system through cell surface G-protein transduced receptors increased interleukin-1beta-induced release of interleukin-6, the ineffectiveness of forskolin and dibutryl 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate suggest that simply increasing intracellular 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate is not sufficient to augment interleukin-1beta-induced release of interleukin-6. The significance of interleukin-6 in the intraocular inflammatory response is discussed in terms of its proposed role in an endogenous antiinflammatory system acting through induction of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor, acute-phase proteins and corticosteroids.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Fibroblast growth-promoting activity in proliferative vitreoretinopathy: antagonism by acetylsalicylic acid.

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy is a severe reactive process which leads to the formation of cellular membranes on the surface of the retina and in the vitreous. We determined the fibroblast growth-promoting activity of intraocular fluid from patients suffering from proliferative vitreoretinopathy, retinal detachment or cataract and further evaluated the effect of acetylsalicylic acid on growth-stimulated fibroblasts. The results demonstrated a significant enhancement of growth-promoting activity of intraocular fluid in proliferative vitreoretinopathy as compared to that of control samples. We showed that the augmented growth-promoting activity of intraocular fluid in proliferative vitreoretinopathy was significantly antagonized by inhibition of cyclooxygenase with acetylsalicylic acid (ID50 approximately 5 microM). In contrast, no significant effect was seen in corresponding control experiments. The findings suggest that metabolites of the cyclooxygenase pathway are involved in the regulation of enhanced intraocular fluid-induced fibroblast proliferation in proliferative vitreoretinopathy and that acetylsalicylic acid might be useful as an antiproliferative agent in intraocular fibrogenesis.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Inhibition of PCR by aqueous and vitreous fluids.

The detection of viral nucleic acids in intraocular fluids and tissues by PCR has become increasingly important in clinical ophthalmology. While much attention has been directed toward minimizing false-positive reactions resulting from specimen contamination or amplicor carryover, relatively little attention has been given to the causes of false-negative PCRs. This report describes a PCR inhibitor in normal aqueous and vitreous fluids that can produce false-negative PCR results. As little as 0.5 microliter of vitreous fluid and 20 microliters of aqueous fluid can completely inhibit DNA amplification in a 100-microliters PCR mixture. This inhibition was not primer specific, nor was it due to chelation of Mg2+ ions or DNase activity in the ocular fluid. The inhibitor was completely resistant to boiling for 15 min. However, the inhibitory effects were completely removed by a single chloroform-isoamyl alcohol (24:1) extraction. The extent of PCR inhibition depended upon the type of thermostable DNA polymerase used in the reaction. Taq DNA polymerase was very sensitive to the inhibitor, while thermostable DNA polymerases from Thermus thermophilus HB-8 (Tth) and Thermus flavus (Tfl) were completely resistant. Thus, the inhibitory effects of intraocular fluids on PCRs can be removed by diluting the specimen, by chloroform extraction, or by using Tth or Tfl DNA polymerases.

Alphaherpesvirinae↗

PubMed2001

Vitreous levels of insulin-like growth factor-I in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

The levels of IGF-I in the vitreous body and the intraocular fluid of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were determined using radioimmunoassay (RIA). Eleven vitreous specimens were obtained from the intraocular fluid of eyes of patients with PDR who underwent surgery during the operation. Eleven intraocular fluids from the same patients during reoperations were compared with controls. The expression of IGF-I mRNA in cultured human Muller glial cells was evaluated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The mean IGF-I level in the vitreous samples during initial PDR surgery and reoperation was significantly higher than that found in the vitreous of the control (p < 0.05). The level of IGF-I increased in 6 of the 11 cases. Cultured human Muller cells expressed IGF-I mRNA. The results indicate increased levels of IGF-I both in the initial vitreous and ocular fluid at post-operative re-proliferation. Muller cell is suggested as an origin of local IGF-I production.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Clinical features of ocular toxocariasis in Japan.

PURPOSE: To characterize the clinical features of ocular toxocariasis and to describe the unique aspects of the disease in Japan. METHODS: Thirty-six cases diagnosed as ocular toxocariasis at the uveitis clinic of Tokyo Medical University Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Thirty-six cases comprised 34 adults (average age: 39 +/- 10 years) and two nine-year-old boys. All cases were classified into two clinical types: posterior pole type (13 cases) and peripheral type (23 cases). Visual acuity was maintained over 20/20 in 50% and less than 20/200 in 14% of the cases. The peripheral type had worse outcomes than the posterior pole type in all of the endpoints examined: final visual outcome, frequency of ocular complications, and effectiveness of vitreous surgery. Antibody titers in intraocular fluids led to a diagnosis of ocular toxocariasis in eight seronegative cases of 33 cases examined for antibodies in both serum and intraocular fluid samples. CONCLUSIONS: The peripheral type had a worse prognosis than the posterior pole type. However, in general, ocular toxocariasis resulted in fair visual outcomes. The antibody titer in intraocular fluid was helpful in the diagnosis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Development and application of multiplex polymerase chain reaction for the etiological diagnosis of infectious endophthalmitis.

BACKGROUND: Uniplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of bacterial and panfungal genome has been applied onto a large number of intraocular fluids facilitating management of infective endophthalmitis. AIM: To develop and apply a novel, rapid multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) to detect the presence of eubacterial, Propionibacterium acnes and panfungal genomes in intraocular fluids from patients clinically diagnosed to have infective endophthalmitis. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conventional methods of direct microscopy by KOH/calcofluor mount, Gram's staining and culture were done on 30 (19 Aqueous humor-AH and 11 Vitreous fluid-VF) intraocular specimens and mPCR done for simultaneous detection of eubacterial, P. acnes and panfungal genomes. RESULTS: mPCR detected an infectious etiology in 18 (60%) of 30 intraocular specimens. Eubacterial genome was detected in 12 (40%) specimens, P. acnes genome in 4 (13.3%) specimens and panfungal genome in 2 (6.6%) specimens. mPCR results correlated with those of uniplex PCR. mPCR results were available within 5-6 hours after receipt of specimen, as against 8 hours required for each uniplex PCR with three separate thermalcyclers for their completion. Consumption of Taq polymerase was reduced considerably for mPCR. CONCLUSION: mPCR is a cost effective, single tube method for the simultaneous detection of eubacterial, P. acnes and panfungal genomes in intraocular specimens from patients with infective endophthalmitis. It is a more rapid procedure than uniplex PCRs and requires only a single thermalcycler.

Candida albicans↗

PubMed1990

Effect of high PaCO2 and time on cerebrospinal fluid and intraocular pressure in halothane-anesthetized horses.

The effects of different arterial carbon dioxide tensions (PaCO2) on cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were studied in 6 male halothane-anesthetized horses positioned in left lateral recumbency. Steady-state anesthetic conditions (1.06% end-tidal halothane concentration) commenced 60 minutes following anesthetic induction with only halothane in oxygen. During atracurium neuromuscular blockade, horses were ventilated, and respiratory rate and peak inspiratory airway pressure were maintained within narrow limits. The CSFP and IOP were measured at 3 different levels of PaCO2 (approx 40, 60, and 80 mm of Hg). The PaCO2 sequence in each horse was determined from a type of switchback design with the initial PaCO2 (period 1), established 30 minutes after the commencement of steady-state anesthesia, being repeated in the middle (period 3) and again at the end (period 5) of the experiment. Measurements taken from the middle 3 periods (2, 3, and 4) would form a Latin square design replicated twice. The interval between each period was approximately 45 minutes. Data from periods 2, 3, and 4 indicated that CSFP (P less than 0.05) and mean systemic arterial pressure increased significantly (P less than 0.05) with high PaCO2. Mean central venous pressure, heart rate, and IOP did not change significantly during these same conditions. Measurements taken during periods 1, 3, and 5 were compared to assess the time-related responses to anesthesia and showed a significant increase in CSFP, a significant decrease in mean central venous pressure, and a small (but not statistically significant) increase in mean systemic arterial pressure.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Fibrinolytic activity and localization of plasminogen activator in bovine vitreous body and aqueous humor.

The types, activities and concentrations of plasminogen activator (PA) were examined in the bovine vitreous body and aqueous humor. Molecular weights of PA in the vitreous body and aqueous humor were approximately 66 and 110 kilodaltons (kDa), respectively, as determined by fibrinolysis enzymography. These PA activities were neutralized by anti-human tissue PA (t-PA) IgG but not by anti-human urokinase PA (u-PA) IgG. Both findings indicated that the main PA in the vitreous body and aqueous humor is t-PA. The existence of u-PA could not be confirmed in intraocular fluids. Fibrinolytic activities measured by amidolytic assay were 0.12 +/- 0.01 IU/ml in the vitreous body and 0.04 +/- 0.02 IU/ml in the aqueous humor. High concentrations but relatively low fibrinolytic activities suggested that PA and PA inhibitor coexisted in the intraocular fluids. Moreover, unbound PA inhibitor was not detected by reverse fibrinolysis enzymography. The present study suggests that most of the PA inhibitor combines with PA and forms a complex. PA predominates over PA inhibitor in the intraocular fluids, whereas PA inhibitor predominates in the plasma. The results by Todd's fibrinolysis autography and immunohistochemical staining showed that t-PA was present in the corneal endothelial cells, which are in direct contact with the aqueous humor. This suggests that not only the vascular system but the corneal endothelial cells as well might be a source of the PA of the aqueous humor and possibly of the vitreous body also.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Application of polymerase chain reaction to differentiate herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 serotypes in culture negative intraocular aspirates.

PURPOSE: To standardize and apply a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the glycoprotein D gene to differentiate Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 & 2 serotypes in culture negative intraocular specimens. METHODS: Twenty-one intraocular fluids collected from 19 patients were subjected to cultures for HSV and uniplex PCR (uPCR) for DNA polymerase gene. To differentiate HSV serotypes, as 1 & 2, a seminested PCR (snPCR) targeting the glycoprotein D gene was standardised and applied onto 21 intraocular fluids. The specificity of the snPCR was verified by application onto ATCC strains of HSV 1 and 2, clinical isolates and DNA sequencing of the amplified products. All specimens were also tested for the presence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) by nucleic acid amplification methods. RESULTS: Four of the 21 intraocular fluids were positive for HSV by uPCR. snPCR detected HSV in three additional specimens (total of seven specimens), and identified three as HSV 1 and four as HSV 2. DNA sequencing of PCR products showed 100% homology with the standard strains of HSV 1 and 2 respectively. None of the samples were positive in culture. Among the other patients, CMV DNA was detected in two and VZV DNA in five others. CONCLUSIONS: The standardized snPCR can be applied directly onto the culture negative specimens for rapid differentiation of HSV serotypes.

DNA, Viral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

5-S-cysteinyldopa as diagnostic tumor marker for uveal malignant melanoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical significance of 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD), a major intermediate in melanin synthesis, as a potential diagnostic tumor marker for uveal malignant melanoma. METHODS: The levels of 5-S-CD in the serum were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in 16 patients with primary uveal melanoma. The levels of 5-S-CD were also measured in both aqueous and vitreous humor in 10 patients with uveal melanoma. The serum of healthy volunteers and patients with skin diseases other than melanoma, and the intraocular fluids of patients with cataract and vitreoretinal diseases were used as controls. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of 5-S-CD in patients with uveal melanoma in the absence of extraocular metastases were close to those of controls; however, serum concentrations of 5-S-CD were significantly elevated in patients with extraocular metastases of melanoma. Concentrations of 5-S-CD in the intraocular fluids, especially vitreous humor, were higher in patients with uveal melanoma than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: 5-S-CD in intraocular fluids may serve as a useful biochemical marker for the diagnosis of uveal melanoma. Serum 5-S-CD may contribute to the assessment of the presence and progression of extraocular metastases in patients with uveal melanoma.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Uveitis masquerade syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Incorrect diagnosis of the uveitic masquerade syndromes (UMS) may have severe consequences. In this study, the frequency, clinical manifestations, and informative diagnostic tests for UMS are described. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Forty patients with UMS were identified in a cohort of 828 consecutive patients with uveitis. The mean follow-up was 4.5 years. METHODS: A review of clinical, laboratory, photographic, and angiographic records was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical features, associated systemic diseases, diagnostic procedures and their role in the diagnostic process, and systemic and visual outcomes. RESULTS: Nineteen patients had intraocular malignancy (48% of all with UMS; 2.3% of all with uveitis), mainly intraocular lymphoma (n = 13) and leukemia (n = 3). The ophthalmologist was the first to recognize malignant disease in 11 of 19 patients (58%). Of 21 patients with nonmalignant UMS, 10 had an ocular vascular disease and 5 a hereditary ocular disorder. The patients with malignant UMS were older than those with nonmalignant UMS (average age, 50 vs 44 years, P: < 0.05). During follow-up, 9 of 19 patients with malignant UMS died. The most informative diagnostic procedure for malignant UMS was intraocular fluid analysis; for nonmalignant UMS, fluorescein angiography. The cytologic analysis of intraocular fluids yielded the best results for diagnosing intraocular malignancies (7 of 11 patients, 64%); the association of negative cytologic results with the recent administration of systemic corticosteroids was noted. Immunophenotyping of the aqueous confirmed the diagnosis of hematologic malignancy for 3 of 5 patients examined. Panuveitis was the most frequent manifestation of malignant UMS. Intraocular lymphomas presented with isolated vitreitis (n = 6), chorioretinal lesions (n = 5) and iris infiltration (n = 2). Clinical presentation of nonmalignant UMS was diverse but consisted mainly of abnormalities of the retinal vasculature. CONCLUSIONS: UMS was diagnosed in 5% of the patients with uveitis at a tertiary center. Despite the variety of underlying disorders and different clinical presentations, a high frequency of malignant and vascular diseases was found. Awareness of the clinical manifestations of UMS and application of the correct diagnostic procedures should promote timely diagnosis and treatment, which are essential not only for visual acuity but also for the life of the patient.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor in ocular fluids of patients with uveitis.

AIMS: To investigate the levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in intraocular fluids of uveitis patients, the capacity of intraocular infiltrating lymphocytes to produce MIF, and the correlation between MIF levels in the eye and intraocular inflammatory activity. METHODS: MIF levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using (1) aqueous humour (AH) of 12 uveitis patients and eight control patients with cataract, (2) vitreous fluid of 15 uveitis patients and eight control patients with idiopathic macular hole, and (3) culture supernatants of T cell clones (TCCs) established from intraocular fluids of uveitis patients. MIF expression on infiltrating cells was determined by a double staining immunofluorescence technique using a flow cytometry. RESULTS: Significant levels of MIF were detected from intraocular fluids of uveitis patients (4.0 (SD 3.0) ng/ml in AH and 16.5 (24.7) ng/ml in vitreous), whereas MIF levels in control groups were below the detectable levels. There was a significant correlation between MIF levels and vitreous inflammation (29.7 (30.0) ng/ml in active uveitis v 3.3 (2.6) ng/ml in inactive uveitis, p< 0.05). Significant levels of MIF were detected in culture supernatants of TCCs from ocular fluids of uveitis patients. MIF was expressed on infiltrating CD4+ lymphocytes from vitreous of uveitis patients. CONCLUSION: Significant levels of MIF are present in intraocular fluids of patients with uveitis. Lymphocytes infiltrating in the eye are capable of producing MIF. MIF levels in vitreous fluid are correlated with vitreous inflammation activity. These data thus indicate that MIF in the eye has a significant role in the pathophysiology of ocular inflammation.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Immunoglobulins in paired specimens of vitreous and subretinal fluids from patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Evidence suggests that there is a net movement of fluid through the retinal break in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, this net movement being directed from the vitreous humour into the subretinal space. However, it remains uncertain how much fluid exchange occurs in both directions across such breaks. The concentration ratios of IgG/IgM or IgA/IgM, derived from assay of immunoglobulins in vitreous humour, subretinal fluid, and serum from a group of 19 such patients, suggest a lack of free, two-directional, fluid movement across the retinal break. Furthermore the IgG/IgM ratios for the two intraocular fluids were significantly greater than that of serum, this suggesting that these intraocular fluids are formed, at least in part, by a selective transduction of serum.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2007

A novel method to oxygenate intraocular irrigation fluids with an in-line oxygenator.

PURPOSE: We describe a novel method to oxygenate intraocular irrigation solutions involving an in-line oxygenator. METHODS: Either lactated Ringer (LR) solution or balanced salt solution (BSS) was oxygenated with the FE390 Stainless In-line Oxygenation Assembly (Beer, Beer, and More Beer, Concord, CA). After running a 100-mL of solution through the in-line oxygenator, oxygen saturation was measured with a dissolved oxygen meter. A control experiment involving the oxygenator without oxygen perfusion was performed. Paired t-tests were used to compare oxygen saturation changes before and after oxygenation. RESULTS: In comparison with the original BSS, there was an increase in oxygen saturation of 162 +/- 47% (n = 40; P < 0.05). Without oxygenation perfusion, there was only a 24 +/- 14% (n = 40) increase in oxygen levels in BSS, which was significantly lower than that in treated BSS (P < 0.05). In comparison with the original LR solution, there was an increase in oxygen saturation of 208 +/- 21% (n = 40; P < 0.05). Without oxygenation perfusion, there was only a 21 +/- 9% (n = 40) gain in oxygen saturation in the control LR solution, which was statistically lower as well (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The in-line oxygenator is an efficient tool for oxygenating BSS and LR solution. It represents a potential efficient and convenient method to oxygenate irrigating solutions for vitreoretinal surgeries.

Acetates↗

PubMed1998

Induction of arachidonic acid metabolite release by human fibroblasts in proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy is a severe ocular disorder characterized by unwanted proliferation of cells and excessive production of fibrous tissue, which leads to the formation of cellular membranes on the surface of the retina and in the vitreous. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy is the most common cause of failure in retinal reattachment surgery, approximately occurring in one out of ten operated eyes. Proliferation of retinal pigment epithelial cells and fibroblasts is a cornerstone in the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. An in vitro-proliferation assay showed previously that intraocular fluid from patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy is potently effective in stimulating proliferation of human fibroblasts. Here we show that exposure of human fibroblasts to vitreous fluids from patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy causes a rapid and sustained increase in arachidonic acid metabolite release as measured by competitive enzyme-immunoassay. The findings implicate prostaglandin E2 as a contributor to enhanced intraocular fibrosis in proliferative vitreoretinopathy. As prostaglandin E2 is a mediator of continuous aqueous-blood retinal barrier breakdown in this severe disease, cycclooxygenase inhibitors such as acetylsalicylic acid, which was successfully used in this study for blocking the effect of intraocular fluid, may be useful agents in targeting the progression of intraocular fibrosis.

Adult↗