Propolis prevents the effects of chronic alcohol intake on ocular tissues.
OBJECTIVE
This study is designed to investigate the protective effects of propolis in ocular tissues against chronic alcohol exposure.


METHODS
Wistar albino rats were used in this study. Rats were divided into 4 groups, and each group was fed a special liquid diet which contained an equal amount of calories. The control group was fed the liquid special diet without alcohol and propolis. We added propolis (150 mg/kg) to the diet of the second group. The diet of the third group contained alcohol, the concentration of which was increased progressively. The fourth group was fed a diet including propolis and alcohol. To counterbalance caloric intake, we decreased the amount of glucose in the special liquid diet for groups 3 and 4. At the end of 30 days, the animals were sacrificed and samples were kept at -80 degrees C until evaluation. Specimens were investigated by light microscopy for morphology and morphometry.


RESULTS
In the histological investigation of ocular tissues, alcohol caused an increase in thickness of the cornea and corneal epithelium compared to the control group (p < 0.05). This incremental tendency was significantly reduced by propolis, and values were very close to those of the control group (p > 0.05). Alcohol did not cause any significant alteration of rat retinal thickness.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that propolis is highly effective against corneal edema secondary to chronic alcohol intake.
Emre
Sinan
S
Research Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Celal Bayar University Medical Faculty, Manisa, Turkey. mdsinanemre@yahoo.com
Yilmaz
Zumrut
Z
Oztürk
Feral
F
Emre
M Hanifi
MH
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D011429:Propolis / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D011429:Propolis