title: Sphingosine-1 phosphate prevents ethanol-induced corneal epithelial apoptosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Apoptosis is a programmed cell death in multicellular organisms, found in a wide variety of conditions, including inflammatory process, everywhere in the body, including the cornea and conjunctiva.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of a new topical formulation of sphingosine-1 phosphate on preventing apoptosis of the corneal epithelium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical University.
  
  
  METHODS
  We tested several formulations suitable for topical application. Twenty-five rabbits were distributed among five groups. Group 1 comprised the controls. In Group 2, 20% ethanol was applied topically for 20 seconds; in Group 3, 50 μM topical sphingosine-1 phosphate was applied 2 hours prior to 20% ethanol application. In Group 4, 200 μM topical sphingosine-1 phosphate was applied 2 hours before the 20% ethanol application. In Group 5, only 200 μM topical sphingosine-1 phosphate was applied. Apoptosis was evaluated using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) assay. Pairwise comparisons were performed using t-tests with Scheffe's correction. Data were analyzed using STATA 9.0 statistical software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A suspension of sphingosine-1 phosphate in the presence of Montanox 80 was stable and could be formulated without sonication. Epithelial apoptosis was detected only in Groups 2 and 3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sphingosine-1 phosphate can prevent ethanol-induced apoptosis in the corneal epithelium of rabbits.
authors.affiliation: EA4555 Génétique des troubles de la réfraction et des anomalies du dévelopement de l'oeil, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, 31000, France.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fournie
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galiacy
authors.forename: Marie-Laure
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ranty
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rico-Lattes
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Malecaze
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Quintyn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000633:toxicity; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity; D008246:Lysophospholipids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D008246:Lysophospholipids; C060506:sphingosine 1-phosphate; D000431:Ethanol; D013110:Sphingosine