Oral administration of ferulic acid or ethyl ferulate attenuates retinal damage in sodium iodate-induced retinal degeneration mice.

Epidemiological studies indicate that the daily intake of antioxidants from a traditional Asian diet reduces the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. Many of the phytochemicals that are abundant in whole grains exhibit a wide variety of biological activity such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic acid found in vegetables and grains that has therapeutic potential for diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, and other diseases.

Experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy in rabbits by delivery of bioactive proteins with gelatin microspheres.

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a challenging pathological condition, often causing failure of retinal detachment surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a delivery system of bioactive proteins using anionic and cationic gelatin microspheres and to establish a new PVR model in rabbits by intraocular sustained delivery of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and interferon-beta (IFNβ). Anionic and cationic gelatin microspheres were prepared and immersed in bFGF and IFNβ solution, respectively, to yield a polyion complex between gelatin matrix and a bioactive protein.

Microrips of the retinal pigment epithelium in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

Purpose: To study the clinical characteristics of microrips of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Design: Retrospective case series.

Methods: For this study, we retrospectively reviewed 156 consecutive eyes of 136 patients with PCV.

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy with choroidal vascular hyperpermeability.

Purpose: To describe the incidence and clinical characteristics of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) associated with choroidal vascular hyperpermeability.

Design: Retrospective observational case series.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 122 consecutive eyes with PCV and 106 consecutive eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Thrombin inhibitor reduces leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions and vascular leakage after scatter laser photocoagulation.

Purpose: Macular edema is one of the most serious adverse effects after retinal scatter laser photocoagulation. It has been suggested that the inflammatory reaction after photocoagulation may be involved in the pathogenesis of macular edema. This study was designed to evaluate quantitatively the inhibitory effects of argatroban, a direct thrombin inhibitor, on leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions and vascular permeability after scatter laser photocoagulation.

Intravitreal injection of corticosteroid attenuates leukostasis and vascular leakage in experimental diabetic retina.

Purpose: Recently, intravitreal injection of corticosteroids has been in wide use as a treatment for diabetic macular edema, and the outcomes have been favorable. However, the exact mechanism remains unclear. The hypothesis for the current study was that intravitreal corticosteroids may improve diabetic retinal edema by amelioration of blood-retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown, by inhibiting leukocyte stasis (leukostasis).

In vivo three-dimensional evaluation of leukocyte behavior in retinal microcirculation of mice.

Purpose: To evaluate new physiologic and three-dimensional methods for monitoring leukocyte behavior in mouse retina.

Methods: Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) was produced in mice by footpad injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Leukocytes were labeled with acridine orange (AO).