title: The effect of iodide iontophoresis on the antioxidative capacity of the tear fluid.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Environmental oxidative stress changing the properties of the tear fluid can lead to keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome). The aim of this study was to determine whether iodide iontophoresis influences the antioxidative capacity (ACW = water soluble antioxidative capacity) of the tear fluid, and to compare iodide iontophoresis with other balneotherapeutic measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study evaluated 92 patients in four groups. Twenty-four patients were treated with iodide iontophoresis, 24 with other balneotherapeutic methods. Twenty-five patients received iodide iontophoresis combined with other balneotherapeutic methods and 21 persons received no treatment (control). Unstimulated tear fluid, serum and urine were collected. ACW was determined photochemically in tear fluid and serum; iodine was measured in urine photometrically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Iodide iontophoresis increases the ACW of the tear fluid but not the ACW of the serum. Other iodine therapies increase the ACW in serum but not in tear fluid. Iodine excretion in urine was increased in all treated groups compared to the control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increase of ACW in tear fluid after iodide iontophoresis can support the defense mechanism of the eye against oxidative influence effects, which may alleviate the symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
authors.affiliation: Paracelsus Society for Balneology and Iodine Research, Kurpromenade 1, 4540, Bad Hall, Austria. paracelsus.badhall@utanet.at
authors.forename: Gebhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rieger
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klieber
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schimetta
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pölz
authors.forename: Sirid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Griebenow
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: Jutta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horwath-Winter
authors.forename: Otto
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schmut
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Spitzer-Sonnleitner
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001452:Balneology; D006801:Humans; D007478:Iontophoresis / Q000379:methods*; D007638:Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012974:Sodium Iodide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D012974:Sodium Iodide