title: Dietary α-lipoic acid prevents UVB-induced corneal and conjunctival degeneration through multiple effects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the effects of dietary α-lipoic acid (α-LA) against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced corneal and conjunctival degeneration in a mouse model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female CBA mice were randomly divided into five study groups, including blank control, UVB without α-LA, and UVB with dietary α-LA at 1, 10, and 100 mg/kg body weight. Following UVB exposure, corneal surfaces were assessed along with immunohistochemistry for nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, and P63⁺ basal cell distribution. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activities were determined by gelatin zymography. ELISA assay was performed to confirm the findings of immunohistochemistry for NF-κB, COX-2, and MDA, along with the levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Tear production and goblet cell density were determined after tear strip assay and periodic acid Schiff staining, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that UVB irradiation caused corneal surface damage, polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration, and loss of P63⁺ basal cells. Dietary α-LA ameliorated the UVB-induced corneal damage while simultaneously reducing MDA accumulation and maintaining P63⁺ basal cell survival. NF-κB-p65, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-6, and MMP-9 activity were all reduced by dietary α-LA. In addition, α-LA helped to reverse aqueous tear reduction, conjunctival squamous epithelium metaplasia, and goblet cell loss after UVB exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dietary α-LA can prevent UVB-induced corneal damage and can be used as a prophylactic agent prior to excessive UVB exposure.
authors.affiliation: School of Optometry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Bo-Yie
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: David Pei-Cheng
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Lin-Song
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Tzu-Ping
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hsiang-Jui
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chun-Pong
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Luk
authors.forename: Yu-Lun
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Han-Hsin
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002470:Cell Survival; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008063:Thioctic Acid
keywords: UVB; photokeratitis; α-lipoic acid