An electrolyte-based solution that increases corneal glycogen and conjunctival goblet-cell density in a rabbit model for keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
Thirty-two rabbits with monocular surgically induced keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) underwent masked treatment for 12 weeks with 1 of 4 artificial tear solutions. Disease in each group of treated rabbits was compared with disease in untreated KCS controls. One of the solutions tested was a unique electrolyte-based formulation shown previously to preserve normal goblet-cell density after extended exposure in normal rabbits. Only the electrolyte-based solution decreased elevated tear osmolarity and sodium after 9 weeks of treatment (P less than 0.05). At 20 weeks, mean corneal glycogen and conjunctival goblet-cell density in eyes treated with the electrolyte-based solution increased significantly relative to untreated KCS controls (P less than 0.01). With the other three solutions, mean glycogen levels and goblet-cell densities were either decreased relative to untreated KCS controls (P less than 0.05) or were unchanged. The electrolyte-based solution is the first treatment to increase corneal glycogen and conjunctival goblet cells in a rabbit model of KCS.
Gilbard
J P
JP
Cornea Research Unit, Eye Research Institute, Boston, MA 02114.
Rossi
S R
SR
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004573:Electrolytes; D005260:Female; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D007038:Hypotonic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007638:Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism
D004573:Electrolytes; D007038:Hypotonic Solutions; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D006003:Glycogen