Conjunctival and tear film changes after vitamin C and E administration in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of our research was to investigate the effect of supplementation with vitamin C and E on ocular surface cytology specimens and related parameters in diabetic patients.


METHODS
60 patients were enrolled in the study. The patients were given vitamin C (1000 mg/day) and vitamin E (400 IU/day) for 10 days. Conjunctival brush cytology specimens were obtained before and after treatment. Schirmer tests, break-up time and ocular ferning tests were also performed.


RESULTS
Goblet cell densities were 50 cells/per field before and 59 cells/per field after supplementation (p=0.002). The stage of squamous metaplasia was 1.12+/-0.42 before and 0.88+/-0.41 after supplementation (p=0.011). The changes were accompanied with improved values for the Schirmer test (p<0.001), break up time (p=0.001), and ocular ferning (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased oxidative stress. Our study suggests that supplementation with antioxidant vitamins C and E probably plays an important role in improving the ocular surface milieu.
Peponis
Vasileios
V
Department of Ophthalmology, Tzaneion General Hospital of Piraeus, and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece.
Bonovas
Stefanos
S
Kapranou
Amalia
A
Peponi
Evangelia
E
Filioussi
Kalitsa
K
Magkou
Christina
C
Sitaras
Nikolaos M
NM
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects*; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D013666:Tears / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid