International journal of ophthalmology最新文献

Aim: To determine whether paeonol (Pae), a naturally occurring phenolic compound, can serve as an effective pharmacological inhibitor of posterior capsular opacification (PCO).

Methods: A rat model of cataract surgery-induced PCO was established, and Pae was administered via anterior chamber injection to evaluate its preventive effect on capsular opacification and fibrotic remodeling. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to assess epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related changes in lens epithelial cells (LECs). Ex vivo lens capsule cultures were employed to examine the expression of Vimentin and Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. In the human LEC line SRA01/04, EMT marker expression at both mRNA and protein levels was analyzed following transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-β2) stimulation, with Pae treatment. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the effect of Pae on TGF-β/Smad signaling and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Molecular docking was performed to predict Pae-AMPK binding, and rescue experiments with AMPK inhibition were conducted to validate the mechanistic pathway.

Results: Pae significantly reduced capsular opacification and fibrotic remodeling in the rat PCO model compared with controls. In LECs, Pae markedly suppressed TGF-β2-induced EMT, evidenced by decreased expression of mesenchymal markers, such as Vimentin, Fibronectin, Collagen 1A1, α-SMA and preserved epithelial junctional protein ZO-1. Mechanistically, Pae was predicted to directly interact with the catalytic pocket of AMPK, which was experimentally confirmed by enhanced AMPK phosphorylation and nuclear translocation (P<0.05). This activation disrupted canonical TGF-β/Smad signaling, leading to suppression of EMT. Rescue experiments using AMPK inhibition abrogated the anti-EMT effect of Pae, further validating the AMPK-dependent mechanism.

Conclusion: Pae exerts a potent inhibitory effect on PCO formation by blocking EMT of LECs through direct activation of AMPK and subsequent disruption of TGF-β/Smad signaling.

Aim: To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes, including visual function and overall survival (OS) of patients with ocular adnexal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (OA-DLBCL).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study enrolled 29 patients diagnosed with OA-DLBCL based on histopathological biopsy between 2006 and 2023. Patients were stratified into two subgroups: primary OA-DLBCL (no prior history of lymphoma) and secondary OA-DLBCL (history of DLBCL at non-ocular adnexal sites). OS was defined as the time interval from OA-DLBCL diagnosis to death from any cause. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic factors affecting OS were identified using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression with a stepwise selection approach.

Results: The cohort included 24 patients with primary OA-DLBCL (13 males, 11 females; mean age: 61.36±18.29y) and 5 patients with secondary OA-DLBCL (2 males, 3 females; mean age: 50.94±18.17y). Among the primary OA-DLBCL subgroup, 12 patients (50%) presented with advanced disease (Ann Arbor stage IIIE-IV), and 16 patients (66%) were classified as T4 disease according to the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system. The mean final visual acuity was 1.72±1.10 in the primary group and 0.90±1.18 in the secondary group. The 5-year OS rate for the entire cohort was 27.7%. Multivariate analysis identified five factors significantly associated with poor survival outcomes: epiphora [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 36.95], atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (aHR, 10.08), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (aHR, 12.47), M1 stage (aHR, 6.99), and secondary OA-DLBCL (aHR, 6.03; all P<0.05). The median OS was 1.68y for primary OA-DLBCL and 1.12y for secondary OA-DLBCL.

Conclusion: A substantial proportion of patients with primary OA-DLBCL present with advanced-stage disease at diagnosis. Epiphora, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, HIV infection, M1 stage, and secondary OA-DLBCL are independent prognostic factors for poor survival outcomes. These findings emphasize the urgent need for optimized therapeutic strategies and early screening protocols to improve the management of OA-DLBCL, particularly in developing countries.

Aim: To characterize the distribution of persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) subtypes and to evaluate corneal astigmatism (CA) in children with unilateral PFV.

Methods: The medical records of patients diagnosed with PFV between January 2014 and August 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Corneal keratometry parameters were measured using IOLMaster or a handheld keratometer. Differences in CA between the affected and fellow eyes were analyzed in 52 unilateral PFV patients with available examination data.

Results: Totally 133 patients diagnosed with PFV were retrospectively reviewed. The male-to-female ratio was 73/60. Median age at surgery was 38.03mo (interquartile range 58.27mo). Among the PFV patients, 32 (24.06%) had anterior PFV, 2 (1.50%) had posterior PFV, and 99 (74.44%) had combined anterior-posterior PFV. Mild combined PFV was the most common subtype. In unilateral PFV cases, the mean CA in the affected eye was 2.29±1.11 D, and 59.62% (31 eyes) had CA≥2.0 D. The mean CA in the affected eyes was significantly higher than in the fellow eyes (1.37±0.77 D; P<0.001). Among PFV-affected eyes with CA≥2.0 D, the steepest corneal meridian was vertically oriented in 30 cases (96.77%), while only 1 case (3.23%) had the steepest meridian oriented horizontally.

Conclusion: In children with unilateral PFV, CA is significantly higher in the affected eyes than in the fellow eyes, and the steepest corneal meridian was predominantly oriented vertically.

Aim: To identify key genes and inflammatory signaling pathways involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of Hedysarum polybotrys polysaccharide (HPS) in a rat model of endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU).

Methods: EIU was induced in Wistar rats through subcutaneous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 200 µg) and the rats were then randomly assigned to EIU group (n=5) and the HPS intervention group (n=5). HPS (400 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) or its carrier was administered 24h and 1h prior to EIU induction. Eyes were examined and enucleated 24h post-induction, and total RNA was extracted from the iris-ciliary body. Gene expression microarrays were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by bioinformatics analyses, including gene ontology (GO) and pathway analysis. Key findings were not experimentally validated at the mRNA or protein level.

Results: A total of 322 DEGs were identified, comprising 254 mRNA and 68 lncRNA genes. GO analysis revealed significant functional categories, including response to LPS. Pathway analysis identified key signaling pathways involved in uveitis, such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions. Notably, 16 mRNA and 7 lncRNA DEGs emerged as central nodes in the gene correlation network.

Conclusion: HPS exerts its anti-inflammatory effects through coordinated signaling pathways, offering insights into potential therapeutic targets for managing uveitis.

Aim: To investigate the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on retinal microcirculation by comparing different alcohol-consuming groups using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA).

Methods: This observational clinical study utilized a cross-sectional and prospective design, focusing on chronic alcohol consumers alongside a non-consuming control group. OCT/OCTA imaging parameters including central retinal subfield thickness (CST), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and vessel density (VD) in the superficial and deep capillary plexuses in both the macular and optic disc (OD) regions were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS 15.0; descriptive statistics were reported, group comparisons were performed with Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and Bonferroni-corrected Mann-Whitney U tests, and relationships were assessed using Spearman correlation, with statistical significance set at P<0.05.

Results: A total of 160 eyes of 160 participants (110 females and 50 males with mean age 38.7±9.9y) who don't smoke were divided into five groups: never, occasional, monthly, weekly and daily drinkers. The mean CST was 216.6±14.2 µm and the mean SCT was 358.9±84.5 µm. There was no statistically significantly difference in CST and SCT among the groups (P=0.890, 0.799). Foveal superficial capillary plexuses (SCPs) VD was higher in monthly drinkers compared to occasional drinkers (P=0.015). Foveal VD in deep capillary plexus was also higher in monthly drinkers than in never and occasional drinkers (P=0.004, 0.006). Nasal SCPs VD at the OD was higher in monthly drinkers compared to never drinkers (P=0.005). There was no significant difference FAZ area among the groups (P=0.071).

Conclusion: Both superficial and deep microvascular structures in the inferior quadrants of macula are positively correlated with frequency of alcohol use. Also in our study results is that the monthly drinker group has uniquely higher VDs in both macula and OD. This leads us to consider moderate alcohol consumption may also have protective effects on retinal microcirculation.

Aim: To assess risk factors for epiretinal membranes (ERM) and examine their interactions in a nationally representative U.S. dataset.

Methods: Data from the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed, a nationally representative U.S. dataset. ERM was identified via retinal imaging based on the presence of cellophane changes. Key predictors included age group, eye surgery history, and refractive error, with additional demographic and health-related covariates. Weighted univariate and multiple logistic regression models were used to assess associations and interaction effects between eye surgery and refractive error.

Results: Totally 3925 participants were analyzed. Older age, eye surgery, and refractive errors were significantly associated with ERM. Compared to those under 65y, the odds ratio (OR) for ERM was 3.08 for ages 65-75y (P=0.0014) and 4.76 for ages 75+ years (P=0.0069). Eye surgery increased ERM risk (OR=3.48, P=0.0018). Moderate to high hyperopia and myopia were also associated with ERM (OR=2.65 and 1.80, respectively). A significant interaction between refractive error and eye surgery was observed (P<0.0001). Moderate to high myopia was associated with ERM only in those without eye surgery (OR=1.92, P=0.0443). Eye surgery was most strongly associated with ERM in the emmetropic group (OR=3.60, P=0.0027), followed by the moderate to high myopia group (OR=3.01, P=0.0031).

Conclusion: ERM is significantly associated with aging, eye surgery, and refractive errors. The interaction between eye surgery and refractive error modifies ERM risk and highlights the importance of considering combined effects in clinical risk assessments. These findings may help guide individualized ERM risk assessment that may inform personalized approaches to ERM prevention and management.

Micro/nanoplastics (M/NPs) have become pervasive environmental pollutants, posing significant risks to human health through various exposure routes, including ingestion, inhalation, and direct contact. This review systematically examined the potential impacts of M/NPs on ocular health, focusing on exposure pathways, toxicological mechanisms, and resultant damage to the eye. Ocular exposure to M/NPs can occur via direct contact and oral ingestion, with the latter potentially leading to the penetration of particles through ocular biological barriers into ocular tissues. The review highlighted that M/NPs can induce adverse effects on the ocular surface, elevate intraocular pressure, and cause abnormalities in the vitreous and retina. Mechanistically, oxidative stress and inflammation are central to M/NP-induced ocular damage, with smaller particles often exhibiting greater toxicity. Overall, this review underscored the potential risks of M/NPs to ocular health and emphasized the need for further research to elucidate exposure mechanisms, toxicological pathways, and mitigation strategies.

Aim: To compare the intravitreal brolucizumab and bevacizumab injections for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC).

Methods: Patients with cCSC were classified into bevacizumab and brolucizumab group. The proportion of complete resolution of subretinal fluid (SRF), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were compared between the two groups.

Results: A total of 40 eyes from 40 patients with aged 34-59y were enrolled in the study. Twenty eyes in bevacizumab group (17 males) and 20 eyes (18 males) in brolucizumab group. Comparing the proportion of complete resolution of SRF, the brolucizumab group was statistically significantly higher than the bevacizumab group (P<0.05). In 1mo, CMT was significantly reduced in the brolucizumab group compared to the bevacizumab group (265±69 vs 319±70 µm; P=0.021). However, there was no significant difference in CMT between the two groups at 2 and 3mo (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Brolucizumab is anatomically and functionally superior to bevacizumab in the treatment of patients with cCSC.

Aim: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of ranibizumab on optic disc and macular microvascular perfusion in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with macular edema (ME).

Methods: Optical coherence tomography angiology (OCTA) parameters, including optic disc vessel density (VD; including whole-disc VD, intra-disc VD, and peripapillary VD), superficial/deep capillary plexus (SCP/DCP) VD, and central macular thickness (CMT) were analyzed. Additional assessments included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) via Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart and hemorheological profiling. CRVO patients received monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injections for three consecutive months. Pre- and post-treatment parameters were statistically compared.

Results: The study comprised 60 CRVO-ME patients (28 males; 32 females), aged 50-78y (mean 63.3±7.6y) and 60 age-/sex-matched healthy controls. As compared with participants exhibiting normal funduscopic findings, CRVO patients demonstrated significantly elevated levels of low-shear-rate whole blood viscosity (LSR-WBV), high-shear-rate whole blood viscosity (HSR-WBV), and aggregation index (AI, all P<0.05). In CRVO-affected eyes, vertical cup-to-disc (C/D) ratio and optic cup volume were significantly smaller, whereas retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was significantly greater, compared to both unaffected contralateral eyes and normal control eyes (all P<0.05). Following treatment, VD of the entire optic disc (P<0.05), intra-disc VD (P<0.05), and peripapillary VD (P<0.05) all increased significantly relative to baseline. CMT decreased significantly (P<0.05), whereas macular SCP-VD and macular DCP-VD showed non-significant slight reductions (P>0.05). At baseline, BCVA of CRVO eyes correlated with whole-disc VD (r=-0.276, P=0.033), intra-disc VD (r=-0.342, P=0.009), and peripapillary VD (r=-0.335, P=0.007), with intra-disc VD demonstrating the strongest association. Besides, BCVA improvement, after the treatment, correlated positively with whole-disc VD (r=0.342, P=0.008) and intra-disc VD (r=0.396, P=0.002).

Conclusion: Optic disc blood perfusion is more closely associated with visual acuity than macular perfusion, suggesting intra-disc VD may serve as a potential biomarker for monitoring visual acuity changes in CRVO. Multiple ranibizumab injections significantly improve optic disc perfusion but may have exerted detrimental effects on the macula. CRVO patients shows higher hemorheological parameters than those with normal fundi. Reduced vertical C/D ratio and optic cup volume may be linked to CRVO incidence, potentially acting as susceptibility factors.