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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that impairs the sharp and central vision need for daily activities. Recent advances in molecular biology research not only lead to a better understanding of the genetics and pathophysiology of AMD but also to the development of applications based on targeted gene expressions to treat the disease. Clarification of molecular pathways that causing to development and progression in dry and wet types of AMD needs comprehensive and comparative investigations in particular precious biopsies involving peripheral blood samples from the patients. Therefore, in this investigation, dry and wet types of AMD patients and healthy individuals were aimed at investigating in regard to targeted gene candidates by using gene expression analysis for the first time. 13 most potent candidate genes involved in neurodegeneration were selected via in silico approach and investigated through gene expression analysis to suggest new targets for disease therapy. For the analyses, 30 individuals (10 dry and 10 wet types AMD patients and 10 healthy people) were involved in the study. SYBR-Green based Real-Time PCR analysis was performed on isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to analyze differentially expressed genes related to these cases. According to the investigations, only the CRP gene was found to be upregulated for both dry and wet disease types. When the downregulated genes were analyzed, it was found that 11 genes were commonly decreased for both dry and wet types in the aspect of expression pattern. From these genes, CFH, CX3CR1, FLT1, and TIMP3 were found to have the most downregulated gene expression properties for both diseases. From these results, it might be concluded that these common upregulated and downregulated genes could be used as targets for early diagnosis and treatment for AMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Carvacrol (CV) is a phenolic monoterpenoid found in the essential oil of a number of aromatic plants and herbs. The present study was an investigation of the potential protective effect of CV against paclitaxel (PTX)-induced retinal and optic nerve cytotoxicity in rats. Methods: A total of 18 adult male Wistar albino rats (250-400g) were randomized into 3 equal groups comprising 6 animals each. Group 1 (control group) received intraperitoneal (IP) saline solution (0.5 mL/200 g) weekly for 4 weeks. Group 2 received an IP dose of PTX (5 mg/kg), and Group 3 received CV (25 mg/kg) 30 minutes after an IP dose of PTX (5 mg/ kg) weekly for 4 weeks. At the conclusion of the experimental period, the retinal and optic nerve tissues of the subjects were evaluated histopathologically. Results: All of the retinal specimens in Group 1 (control) were histopathologically normal. In Group 2 (PTX), all of the eyes (6/6) revealed increased retinal vascularity and rosette-like structures in the outer nuclear layer, and in Group 3 (PTX-CV), all of the eyes (6/6) demonstrated normal retinal vascularity and the absence of rosette-like structures. All of the optic nerve specimens in Group 1 (control) were histopathologically normal. In Group 2 (PTX), all of the eyes (6/6) demonstrated severe vacuolization and a decreased number of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in the optic nerve specimens, while 3 eyes (3/6) showed marked single cell necrosis. None of the eyes in Group 3 (PTX-CV) demonstrated either vacuolization or a reduction in the number of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. No remarkable single cell necrosis was observed in the optic nerve specimens of Group 3 (PTX-CV). Conclusion: The histopathological findings indicated that CV played a protective role against PTX-induced cytotoxicity. CV might be a promising resource to counteract oxidative stress-based cytotoxicity in the field of retinal and optic nerve disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the serum levels of doublecortin-like kinase-1 (DCLK-1) in dry and wet-type age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients and compare with those of control subjects. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional case control study was conducted on a total of 62 subjects consisting of 13 wet-type (exudative) and 19 dry-type (atrophic) AMD patients and 30 control subjects. Serum DCLK-1 level was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit in all participants. Independent samples-t test and one-way ANOVA were used to compare mean serum DCLK-1 levels between groups. Results: Mean age for control and AMD groups were 68.9±4.8 and 70.8±5.1 years respectively (p:0.14). Male/Female ratio was 15:15 in control group and 17:15 in AMD group. Mean serum DCLK-1 level was 1.24±0,71ng/mL in control, and 0.79±0,52 ng/mL in AMD groups (p:0.006). Mean serum DCLK-1 level for dry and wet-type subgroups were 0,76±0,52 and 0,83±0,54 ng/mL respectively (p:0.70). There was no statistically significant difference between wet-type AMD and control groups (p: 0.134). In the dry-type AMD subgroup mean serum DCLK-1 level was significantly lower than the control group (p:0.031). Conclusion: Serum DCLK-1 level was significantly lower in AMD group compared to control group. Further studies including genetic and immunohistochemical analyses are needed to investigate the potential pathophysiological role of DCLK-1 in AMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Carvone (CVN) is a natural monoterpene found in essential oils of many aromatic plant species. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of CVN against paclitaxel (PTX)-induced retinal and optic nerve cytotoxicity in rats. Methods: Twenty-four male adult Wistar albino rats (250–400 g) were randomized into four equal groups comprising six animals in each. Group 1 (control group) received intraperitoneal (i.p.) saline solution (0.5 mL/200 g) weekly for 4 weeks. Group 2 received i.p. CVN [(S)-(+)- CVN, (5S)-5-Isopropenyl-2-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one, C10H14, 25 mg/kg], while Group 3 received i.p. PTX (5 mg/kg) weekly for 4 weeks. Group 4 received i.p. CVN (25 mg/kg) 30 min after i.p. PTX (5 mg/kg) weekly for 4 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, retinal and optic nerve tissues were evaluated histopathologically. Results: All retinal specimens in control and CVN groups were histopathologically normal. In PTX group all eyes (6/6) demonstrated increased retinal vascularity and rosette-like structures in the outer nuclear layer, while in PTX-CVN group all eyes (6/6) demonstrated normal retinal vascularity and absence of rosette-like structures. All optic nerve specimens in control and CVN groups were histopathologically normal. In PTX group all eyes (6/6) demonstrated severe vacuolization and decrease in the number of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, while 3 eyes (3/6) demonstrated marked single cell necrosis. In PTX-CVN group, 4 eyes (4/6) demonstrated moderate vacuolization while, 2 eyes (2/6) had none. Compared with PTX group, 1 eye (1/6) in PTX-CVN group demonstrated a decrease in numbers of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes while 5 eyes (5/6) were normal. No remarkable single cell necrosis was observed in PTX-CVN group. Conclusions: Our histopathological findings demonstrated the potential protective role of CVN against PTX-induced retinal and optic nerve cytotoxicity. CVN might be a promising molecule in counteracting oxidative stress-based cytotoxicity in the field of retinal and optic nerve disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large radial tears of donor Descemet membrane (DM) during the preparation of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) grafts can make the trephination stage impossible because of small graft diameter. This results in irregular-edged grafts. In this study, we report two pseudophakic bullous keratopathy patients who underwent DMEK surgery with irregular-edged Descemet membrane (DM) grafts. Main outcome measures were preoperative and postoperative 1-, 3-, and 6-month best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), endothelial cell density (ECD) and central corneal thickness (CCT). Intraoperative and early postoperative complications were also evaluated. Both irregular-edged grafts were successfully implanted into the anterior chamber, unfolded, and attached to the posterior corneal stroma. Patients' BCVA at 6 months was 1.0 (Snellen equivalent: 20/20) and 0.6 (Snellen equivalent: 20/32) respectively. Decrease in ECD at the last visit was 27% and 25%. CCT decreased from 723 µm and 850 µm to 530 µm and 523 µm, respectively. No intraoperative complications occurred except for the large radial Descemet membrane graft tears that developed during donor DM stripping. None of the cases needed a rebubbling procedure postoperatively. We have demonstrated that irregular-edged DM grafts can be successfully implanted for DMEK surgery with good clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the wound healing effect of topical and subconjunctival Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) in an experimental trabeculectomy model, and to compare the outcomes with mitomycin C and bevacizumab. Materials and Methods: Thirty eyes of 27 Wistar Albino rats were included. Group 1 was the control group and the other four groups were mitomycin C (group 2), topical CoQ (group 3), subconjunctival CoQ (group 4), and bevacizumab (group 5). Conjunctival and scleral incisions were made to mimic the trabeculectomy wound. After the rats were sacrificed, histological sections were examined for vasculogenesis, VEGF and TGF-β1 positivity. Results: The mean vascularization score was lowest in groups 3 and 4 (0.5±0.55). It was followed by group 2 (1.0± 0.89), group 5 (1.5±1.0), and control group (2.5±0.55). The eyes in group 2, 3 and 4 showed significantly less vascularization than the control group (p = 0.015, p <0.01, p <0.01). VEGF and TGF-β1 positivity scores were lowest in groups 3 and 4 (1.48±0.45). This was followed by group 2 (2.0±0.34), group 5 (3.5±0.3), and control group (3.94±0.5). TGF-β1 and VEGF positive cells were significantly lower in groups 2, 3 and 4 than group 1 (p <0.01). TGF-β1 and VEGF positivity in groups 3 and 4 were significantly lower than the group 2 (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The application of topical and subconjunctival CoQ resulted in inhibition of vasculogenesis and reduction of TGF-β1 and VEGFpositive cells in trabeculectomy wound healing model. Topical or subconjunctival application of CoQ in trabeculectomy surgery may provide positive effects on wound healing.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]