An Oral Antioxidant Formulation Delaying and Potentially Reversing

This is the final published version. It first appeared at http://clinmedlibrary.com/articles/ijdcr/ijdcr-2-023.php?jid=ijdcr.Background: The majority of dogs with diabetes mellitus develop blinding mature cataracts through the action of the enzyme aldose reductase producing sorbitol with osmotic action drawing water into the lens thus causing opacification. Here we evaluate the use of OcuGLO™ a formulation including the aldose reductase inhibitor alpha lipoic acid, grapeseed extract, carotenoids, omega-3-fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10 in the prevention of canine diabetic cataract in a prospective placebo-controlled double-masked study. Materials and methods: Dogs with diabetes mellitus but as yet without the development of blinding diabetic cataracts were given either OcuGLO™ or a placebo containing antioxidant vitamins. Dogs were examined monthly and their degree of lens opacification documented photographically using a Genesis D fundus camera at +10D. Time to progression of lens opacification was documented and compared between the OcuGLO™ group and the placebo group, using Kaplan Meier survival curve statistics Results: Mean time without change in lens opacification was 278 ± 184 days with OcuGLO Rx™ and 77 ± 40 days in the placebo group this difference being statistically significant at p=0.0005. Twelve of 15 dogs taking the placebo developed significantly increased lens opacification while 5 of 15 dogs taking OcuGLO Rx™ developed significant cataract. of these five dogs four animals did not receive daily OcuGLO Rx™ as directed due to unrelated concurrent illness or owner non-compliance. The remaining dog progressed despite Ocu-GLO Rx™ administration. In two dogs, diabetic cataract was reversed with regained vision on Ocu-GLO Rx™. Discussion: This small preliminary study demonstrates that oral Ocu-GLO Rx™ has beneficial effects in delaying cataract formation in dogs with diabetes mellitus. We look forward to further studies with larger case populations but note that the statistical significance reached between placebo and supplement-treated group, even with a small study population, demonstrates the efficacy of this commercially available dietary supplement

Characterization of the tumor and ocular phenotype in transgenic line TgN3261Rpw

TgN3261Rpw is a line of transgenic mice generated at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory as part of a large scale insertional mutagenesis program under the direction of Richard P. Woychik, Ph.D. When originally screened for phenotypic abnormalities, TgN3261Rpw mice were found to have multiple ocular anomalies. The abnormalities evident on ophthalmic examination were absence of a pupillary light response, posterior synechiae, and posterior polar cataracts. As the transgenic mice aged, 28% of the mice developed abdominal distension and became moribund due to the development of histiocytic sarcomas. A small percentage of transgenic mice developed neoplastic disease in their thoracic cavities and dermis. None of the wild type mice developed these diseases. On necropsy, the mice affected by histiocytic sarcomas had hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy, the smaller group had thickened pleurae and pericardia, and another small group had firm small nodules, large rapidly growing masses in their dermis. The tumors were diagnosed as histiocytic sarcoma or reticulum cell sarcoma, type A. Techniques used to specifically identify the cell of origin of this tumor were immunohistochemistry, enzyme cytochemistry, flow cytometry, and molecular analysis of the immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes. The intradermal tumors required transplant experiments into SCID mice to confirm the histiocyte as the cell of origin. The primary ocular abnormalities include anterior segment dysgenesis, persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous and persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis, and persistent pupillary membranes. Sequella to these anomalies include posterior synechiae, detached retinas, posterior lenticonus, and posterior polar cataracts. The tumor phenotype and the ocular phenotype can hypothetically be united as an abnormality in the growth and terminal differentiation of the resident tissue macrophages due to the transgene insertion

Subconjunctival antimicrobial poloxamer gel for treatment of corneal ulceration in stranded California sea lions (\u3ci\u3eZalophus californianus\u3c/i\u3e)

Objective Corneal ulcers are commonly encountered in pinnipeds. Prolonged oral antibiotics and topical ophthalmic solutions may not be practical to administer, and novel treatment techniques are desired. Thermodynamic gels are a potential solution because they hold antimicrobials at the site of injection, slowly releasing drug. This study investigated the clinical efficacy of antibiotic-impregnated poloxamer gel in management of corneal ulceration. Animal studied Twenty-six California sea lions undergoing rehabilitation at The Marine Mammal Center. Procedures A poloxamer gel mixed with 2% enrofloxacin was subconjunctivally injected in the treatment group. Control animals received oral doxycycline. Systemic antiinflammatories and analgesics were administered as needed. Corneal examinations under general anesthesia were repeated weekly, and included sampling for bacterial culture and corneal cytology, collection of high-quality corneal images, and treatment administration until the ulcers were healed. Results There was no gross or histologic evidence of a localized tissue reaction to the gel administration in the conjunctiva, and no evidence of systemic reaction to therapy in animals that died due to unrelated causes during the study period (n = 17). In animals that experienced a superficial corneal ulcer involving only epithelium or superficial stroma (n = 12), all lesions resolved completely, in both treatment and control groups. Of those animals with deeper or more complex ulcers involving keratomalacia or descemetoceles (n = 15), four demonstrated complete lesion resolution (all four received gel treatment). Conclusions This study demonstrates that subconjunctival antibiotic poloxamer gel administration is a safe and effective alternative therapeutic option to traditional treatments for superficial corneal ulceration in pinnipeds