Organic cation transporter-mediated ergothioneine uptake in mouse neural progenitor cells suppresses proliferation and promotes differentiation into neurons.

The aim of the present study is to clarify the functional expression and physiological role in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) of carnitine/organic cation transporter OCTN1/SLC22A4, which accepts the naturally occurring food-derived antioxidant ergothioneine (ERGO) as a substrate in vivo. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that mRNA expression of OCTN1 was much higher than that of other organic cation transporters in mouse cultured cortical NPCs. Immunocytochemical analysis showed colocalization of OCTN1 with the NPC marker nestin in cultured NPCs and mouse embryonic carcinoma P19 cells differentiated into neural progenitor-like cells (P19-NPCs).

Functional expression of carnitine/organic cation transporter OCTN1 in mouse brain neurons: possible involvement in neuronal differentiation.

The aim of the present study is to clarify the functional expression and physiological role in brain neurons of carnitine/organic cation transporter OCTN1/SLC22A4, which accepts the naturally occurring antioxidant ergothioneine (ERGO) as a substrate in vivo. After intracerebroventricular administration, the distribution of [(3)H]ERGO in several brain regions of octn1(-/-) mice was much lower than that in wild-type mice, whereas extracellular marker [(14)C]mannitol exhibited similar distribution in the two strains. The [(3)H]ERGO distribution in wild-type mice was well correlated with the amount of ERGO derived from food intake and the OCTN1 mRNA level in each brain region.

Diabetic-like corneal sensitivity loss in galactose-fed rats ameliorated with aldose reductase inhibitors.

This study investigated whether diabetic-like corneal sensory deficits occur in the galactose-fed rat model of diabetic ocular complications and if such deficits could be prevented using either of two structurally different aldose reductase (AR) inhibitors, CT-112 or AL-1576. S-D rats were randomly grouped to receive a diet of Purina chow with either 50% starch (n=25) or 50% D-galactose (n=65). Some of the galactosemic rats received either 0.

Isolation and chromosomal localization of a cornea-specific human keratin 12 gene and detection of four mutations in Meesmann corneal epithelial dystrophy.

Keratin 12 (K12) is an intermediate-filament protein expressed specifically in corneal epithelium. Recently, we isolated K12 cDNA from a human corneal epithelial cDNA library and determined its full sequence. Herein, we present the exon-intron boundary structure and chromosomal localization of human K12.

[Physical properties of an intraocular lens coated with diamond-like carbon film].

I have invented an intraocular lens (IOL) coated with diamond-like carbon film and have investigated its physical properties. Diamond-like carbon film is an ultrathin film which is composed of many carbon atoms and very few hydrogen atoms, and has properties very similar to diamond. I have measured the following properties of the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) plates or IOLs coated with diamond-like carbon film: light transmission curve, resistance against Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, peel-off test, and contact angle.

Ocular surface disorders in the critically ill.

Abnormalities of the cornea and conjunctiva occur in association with neurological diseases, nocturnal lagophthalmos, coma, infection, and mechanical ventilation. We investigated the incidence and causes of ocular surface disorders in critically ill patients. In a retrospective study, the presence of conjunctivitis and corneal erosion was determined by reviewing the medical charts of 143 mechanically ventilated patients (intensive care unit [ICU] stay > or =7 days).

Core vitrectomy preceding triple corneal procedure in patients at high risk for increased posterior chamber pressure.

We evaluated the effectiveness of performing a core vitrectomy to prevent intraoperative posterior chamber pressure evaluation in eyes at high risk for development of this complication, prior to penetrating keratoplasty, extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens (IOL) implantation. Results in 10 cases with core vitrectomy were compared with 10 cases without (controls); in all eyes with vitrectomy, a posterior chamber IOL was easily implanted but four eyes of the control group developed vitreous complications. Our results indicate that core vitrectomy does facilitate IOL implantation during a triple corneal procedure in eyes at increased risk of elevated posterior chamber pressure.

Effects of topical aldose reductase inhibitor CT-112 on corneal sensitivity of diabetic rats.

Purpose: To investigate whether the loss in corneal sensation observed in human diabetics could be duplicated in diabetic rats and if this abnormality could be prevented by topical instillation of an aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI), CT-112.

Methods: Rats were made diabetic by injection of streptozotocin. Some of these rats were treated with eye drops of CT-112 while others were treated with the same vehicle solution without ARI.

The use of synthetic Cecropin (D5C) in disinfecting contact lens solutions.

Purpose: Microbial keratitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common contact lens associated corneal infection. Cecropins are microbicidal peptides isolated from the hemolymph of the Cecropia moth. Previous in vitro studies have demonstrated their efficacy against a broad spectrum of ocular pathogens.

Reversal of abnormal corneal epithelial cell morphologic characteristics and reduced corneal sensitivity in diabetic patients by aldose reductase inhibitor, CT-112.

Purpose: A randomized clinical study was undertaken to determine whether a topically applied aldose reductase inhibitor, CT-112, was capable of reversing the abnormal morphologic characteristics of corneal epithelial cells, as well as the reduced corneal sensitivity, in diabetic patients.

Methods: Thirty-nine diabetic patients were randomly divided into two groups: one group was treated with topical aldose reductase inhibitor (CT-112) in an ophthalmic preparation, and a control group was treated with the same preparation without the inhibitor. Specular microscopy was performed to analyze the morphologic characteristics of corneal epithelial cells before and after the treatment.

[Two cases of Werner's syndrome treated with penetrating keratoplasty].

Cataract is one of the typical ocular manifestations of Werner's syndrome. In contrast to cataract in normal elderly persons, cataract in patients with Werner's syndrome is known to be associated with degenerative corneal changes after cataract surgery. Among the corneal changes bullous keratopathy occurs in almost 100% of patients with Werner's syndrome after cataract surgery.

Comparison of the effects of intraocular irrigating solutions on the corneal endothelium in intraocular lens implantation.

We conducted a randomised prospective controlled study to determine the effects of a glucose glutathione bicarbonate solution (BSS Plus) and a citrate acetate bicarbonate solution (S-MA2) on the corneal endothelium in patients undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation. One eye of each patient was randomly assigned to receive BSS Plus, and the other eye to receive S-MA2. BSS Plus caused significantly less corneal swelling on the first postoperative day than did S-MA2.

Vitamin A eyedrops for superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis.

We treated 12 patients with superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis with topical vitamin A (retinol palmitate) eyedrops. After a follow-up period of at least three months, this therapy was found to be effective, to a varying extent, in ten patients (83%). Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis lesions did not recur in these patients as long as topical application was continued.

Aldose reductase inhibitor (CT-112) eyedrops for diabetic corneal epitheliopathy.

We treated two diabetic patients with corneal epithelial disorder that resisted conventional medical therapy with topical CT-112 (5-[3-ethoxy-4-pentyloxyphenyl]-2,4-thiazolidinedione), a newly synthesized aldose reductase inhibitor. One patient had developed recurrent corneal erosion after vitrectomy and the other had spontaneously developed superficial punctate keratopathy. The corneal lesion in each patient responded to topical CT-112 in two to four weeks and was almost cleared within two months.