3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine causes cytotoxicity on 661W cells through inducing macrophage polarization.

The abuse of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a psychedelic drug, can lead to a variety of disorders in neural system, including the death of retinal neural cells. MDMA at lower doses does not cause obvious cytotoxicity to photoreceptor cells, indicating potential indirect mechanisms which have not yet been elucidated. This study investigated the effect of MDMA at nontoxic concentration on macrophage activation state and its resultant toxicity to photoreceptor cells.

Inhibition of the oxidative stress-induced miR-23a protects the human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells from apoptosis through the upregulation of glutaminase and glutamine uptake.

The degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in the sub retinal pigment epithelial space and choroid is an initial pathological characteristic for the age-related macular degeneration which is the leading cause of severe vision loss in old people. Moreover, oxidative stress is implicated as a major inducer of RPE cell death. Here, we assessed the correlation between the H2O2-induced RPE cell death and glutamine metabolism.

[The relationship between central corneal thickness and Perkins applanation tonometry in rabbits].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between central corneal thickness (CCT) and Perkins applanation tonometry and establish a mathematic model of correlation between true intraocular pressure (IOP), CCT and Perkins applanation tonometry.

Methods: The study included thirty-two new Zealand rabbits. One eye received excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), the other eye was used as control.