Group IIA phospholipase A(2) concentration of tears in patients with ocular rosacea.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the concentration of group IIA phospholipase A(2) (GIIAPLA(2)) in tears of patients with ocular rosacea, and to compare it with GIIAPLA(2) concentration in tears of age-matched healthy controls.


METHODS
The GIIAPLA(2) concentration in tears was measured with a time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay in 21 patients with ocular rosacea (mean age 55.6+/-9.2 years) and in 21 normal subjects (mean age 53.4+/-8.2 years). Conjunctival brush cytology was carried out and eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, squamous epithelial cells, columnar epithelial cells, metaplastic changes and goblet cells were calculated separately.


RESULTS
The GIIAPLA (2) concentration in tears was statistically significantly lower in patients with ocular rosacea (31.0+/-18.4 microg/ml, p=0.0099) and, more specifically, in patients who had dry eye (25.8+/-15.1 microg/ml, p=0.0034), compared to that in normal controls. There was no correlation between the GIIAPLA (2) content of tears and the conjunctival cells collected by the brush cytology.


CONCLUSIONS
The tears of patients with dry eye symptoms due to ocular rosacea have decreased GIIAPLA (2) content. The pathogenic importance of this finding is discussed.
Kari
Osmo
O
Department of Allergology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Aho
Valtteri V
VV
Peltonen
Sirje
S
Saari
Jukka M
JM
Kari
Marjatta
M
Määttä
Marko
M
Collan
Yrjö
Y
Saari
K Matti
KM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001762:Blepharitis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015200:Fluoroimmunoassay; D054501:Group II Phospholipases A2; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000378:metabolism*; D012393:Rosacea / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology*; D013666:Tears / Q000201:enzymology*
D005136:Eye Proteins; C042434:tear proteins; D010741:Phospholipases A; D054501:Group II Phospholipases A2