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To examine central macular, RNFL (retinal nerve fibre layer), GCC (ganglion cell complex) thicknesses; and VEPs (visual evoked potential) in epileptic patients using levetiracetam for at least one year. Sixteen focal epileptic patients receiving levetiracetam monotherapy and 16 healthy subjects were included in the study. Central macular, RNFL and GCC thicknesses according to spectral domain OCT (optical coherence tomography); and VEPs parameters were compared between patients and healthy subjects. The mean age of patient and control groups were 40 ± 16 and 38 ± 12 years respectively (p > 0.05). The patient group was on levetiracetam therapy for 64 ± 45 (12–168) months. Central macular thickness was thinner in the patient group (p = 0.008). There was no difference among groups regarding RNFL thicknesses. GCC thicknesses in all quadrants were similar among groups, except the superior quadrant; which was thinner in the patient group (p = 0.03). P100 amplitude in 30 min pattern was lower in the patient group (p = 0.04). N135 latency in 15 min (p = 0.03) and 7 min patterns (p = 0.01) was longer in the patient group. Central macular and GCC thicknesses; and VEP parameters in patients receiving levetiracetam treatment may differ from healthy subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate protective effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in lacrimal glands against high-dose radioactive iodine (RAI)-associated oxidative damage. Materials and Methods: Thirty Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 was the control group. Group 2 received 3 mCi/kg RAI via gastric gavage but no medication. Group 3 received 3 mCi/kg RAI via gastric gavage and 30 mg/kg/day CoQ10 intraperitoneally. CoQ10 was started at day one just before RAI administration and continued for five days. Seven days after RAI therapy, the animals were anesthetized and decapitated. Intraorbital (IG), extraorbital (EG), and Harderian (HG) lacrimal glands were removed bilaterally for histopathological and tissue cytokine level assessments. Results: Abnormal lobular pattern, acinar fibrosis, lipofuscin-like accumulations, perivascular infiltration, cell size variation, abnormal cell outlines, irregular nucleus shapes in all lacrimal gland types (p < 0.05 for each), periductal fibrosis, periductal and periacinar fibrosis in EG (p = 0.01, 0.044, respectively) and in HG (p = 0.036, 0.044, respectively), periductal infiltration in HG (p = 0.039) and IG (p = 0.029), acinar atrophy in EG (p = 0.044), and cell shape variation in IG (p = 0.036) were observed more frequently in group 2 than in other groups. RAI caused significant increase in TNF-α, IL-6, nuclear factor kappa B, and total oxidant status, and decrease in IL-2, IL-10, and total antioxidant status levels (p < 0.05 for each). Addition of CoQ10 decreased all cytokine levels, increased nuclear factor kappa B levels more, and increased total antioxidant status levels significantly (p < 0.05 for each). Conclusions: RAI administration causes prominent inflammatory response in lacrimal glands. Addition of CoQ10 ameliorates the oxidative damage and protects lacrimal glands both in histopathological and tissue cytokine level assessments. Protection of lacrimal glands against oxidative damage may become a new era of CoQ10 use in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of our study is to investigate the effect of episcleral cauterization during conjunctival autograft surgery on subconjunctival fibrovascular reaction in rabbit eyes. Methods: Twenty-four healthy male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into Control Group ( n = 12) and Cautery Group ( n = 12). In the Control Group, a 4 × 4 mm free conjunctival graft was elevated, the underlying Tenon's capsule was excised, and the free graft was sutured back to its original place with 10-0 nylon sutures. In the Cautery Group, in addition to the same surgical steps, the episclera was cauterized with six gentle touches before the conjunctival graft was sutured back to its original place. The scleroconjunctival block of the operated area was excised at the first month. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosine and Masson trichrome and were evaluated using light microscopy. Results: Subconjunctival collagen fibers were increased, and the fibroblast density increased more significantly in the Cautery Group than in the Control Group. The groups were similar regarding vascularization, lymphocytic, and plasmocytic infiltration. Macrophage density was normal in all animals in both groups. Conclusion: Our histopathological examinations indicate that cauterization seems to lead to an increase in subconjunctival fibrosis at the first postoperative month in rabbit eyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]