Endothelial cell density in porcine corneas after exposure to hypotonic solutions.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate exposure to sucrose solution (1.8%) and hypotonic balanced salt solution (BSS) for its effects on endothelial cell density of porcine corneas.


METHODS
Two groups of central discs from pig corneas were organ-cultured for 24 h. Twelve corneas per group were exposed to sucrose solution (1.8%) or hypotonic BSS for 4 min each. The paired corneal discs were not treated and served as controls. After further organ culture with and without dextran for 48 h, corneal endothelium was stained with alizarin red and examined by light microscopy. The endothelial cell densities were determined manually on three central images.


RESULTS
The endothelial cell density differed significantly between corneas exposed to sucrose and the control corneas (3982+/-382 cells/mm(2) and 4360+/-331 cells/mm(2) respectively, and 3876+/-364 cells/mm(2) versus 4374+/-168 cells/mm(2) respectively with 6% dextran). In contrast, the endothelial cell density did not differ significantly between corneas exposed to hypotonic BSS and the control corneas (4374+/-296 cells/mm(2) and 4317+/-193 cells/mm(2) respectively, and 4348+/-151 cells/mm(2) versus 4426+/-175 cells/mm(2), respectively with 6% dextran).


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to 1.8% sucrose for 4 min induces a significant endothelial cell loss of 10% on average, whereas exposure to hypotonic BSS did not significantly influence the endothelial cell density.
Meltendorf
Christian
C
Department of Ophthalmology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Meltendorf@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Ohrloff
Christian
C
Rieck
Peter
P
Schroeter
Jan
J
D000085:Acetates / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D000880:Anthraquinones; D002452:Cell Count; D003911:Dextrans / Q000633:toxicity; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D007038:Hypotonic Solutions / Q000633:toxicity*; D008903:Minerals / Q000633:toxicity; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000633:toxicity; D013395:Sucrose / Q000633:toxicity; D013552:Swine
D000085:Acetates; D000880:Anthraquinones; C030660:BSS solution; D003911:Dextrans; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007038:Hypotonic Solutions; D008903:Minerals; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013395:Sucrose; C010078:alizarin