Inhibitory effect of crocin(s) on lens crystallin glycation and aggregation, results in the decrease of the risk of diabetic cataract

The current study investigates the inhibitory effect of crocin(s), also known as saffron apocarotenoids, on protein glycation and aggregation in diabetic rats, and α-crystallin glycation. Thus, crocin(s) were administered by intraperitoneal injection to normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The cataract progression was recorded regularly every two weeks and was classified into four stages. After eight weeks, the animals were sacrificed and the parameters involved in the cataract formation were measured in the animal lenses. Some parameters were also determined in the serum and blood of the rats. In addition, the effect of crocin(s) on the structure and chaperone activity of α-crystallin in the presence of glucose was studied by different methods. Crocin(s) lowered serum glucose levels of diabetic rats and effectively maintained plasma total antioxidants, glutathione levels and catalase activity in the lens of the animals. In the in vitro study, crocin(s) inhibited α-crystallin glycation and aggregation. Advanced glycation end products fluorescence, hydrophobicity and protein cross-links were also decreased in the presence of crocin(s). In addition, the decreased chaperone activity of α-crystallin in the presence of glucose changed and became close to the native value by the addition of crocin(s) in the medium. Crocin(s) thus showed a powerful inhibitory effect on α-crystallin glycation and preserved the structure-function of this protein. Crocin(s) also showed the beneficial effects on prevention of diabetic cataract. © 2016 by the authors

Effects of sutureless amniotic membrane patching with 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate (Dermabond) on experimental corneal alkali burn in dogs

This study was performed to evaluate the surgical technique required and the clinical usefulness of tissue adhesive (2-Octyl cyanoacrylate) combined with amniotic membrane (AM) patching in the treatment of experimental corneal burn in dogs. Alkali wounds were inflicted on the central corneas of dogs by applying a round filter paper, 6.0 mm in diameter, soaked in 1 M NaOH for 60 s. Only one eye in each dog was used. A total of 15 dogs were divided into three groups of five animals each: (1) uncovered-control, (2) covered by AM with the amnion cell side down and secured with 10-0 nylon sutures to the cornea around the wound area-AM + suture, and (3) covered by sutureless AM patching secured with 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate (Dermabond)-AM + glue. The operating time was compared between both treatment groups. Clinical outcome was monitored by evaluation of epithelial defects, corneal opacity, duration of blepharospasm, time of AM persistence, corneal vascularisation, and duration of ocular discharge. The mean surgery time in AM + suture group was significantly longer than AM + glue group. AM persistence in AM + glue group was significantly greater than AM + suture group. The duration of ocular discharge and corneal vascularisation in AM + glue group was significantly lower in comparison with control group. Epithelial healing was faster in the AM + glue group than in controls. In conclusion, sutureless AM patching with 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate (Dermabond) as a dressing on a corneal alkali burn, used for the first time in this research, may induce rapid epithelial healing with less vascularisation and be a much faster and useful technique in dogs. © 2009 Springer-Verlag London Limited