title: Copper-ion-catalyzed vitreous liquefaction in vivo.
abstract: To investigate copper-ion (Cu2+)-catalyzed vitreous liquefaction in vivo, Cu2+ solution (10 mumol) was injected into the vitreous cavity of rabbits. At 24 h after the injection, the gel and liquid vitreous were weighed, and the percent of vitreous liquefaction was calculated. Cu2+ injection resulted in liquefaction of 58% of the vitreous, although control eyes had 12% liquefaction (p < 0.1). The vitreous liquefaction was more pronounced in the presence of exogenous ascorbic acid. However, the addition of mannitol, a hydroxyl-radical-specific scavenger, significantly suppressed the Cu(2+)-catalyzed vitreous liquefaction. The free radicals generated by the Cu(2+)-catalyzed oxidation system may cause vitreous liquefaction in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Asahikawa Medical College, Japan. jakiba@asahikawa-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Akiba
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yanagiya
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kakehashi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hikichi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kado
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ueno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D001826:Body Fluids; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D005782:Gels; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D007477:Ions; D008353:Mannitol / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005782:Gels; D007477:Ions; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D008353:Mannitol; D003300:Copper; D001205:Ascorbic Acid