A cholinergic agonist attenuates endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats.

Purpose: Investigation of physiological anti-inflammatory mechanisms can contribute to the treatment of inflammatory disorders. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of nicotine, a selective cholinergic agonist, on endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rats and the underlying molecular mechanism.

Methods: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS; endotoxin) and nicotine were injected intraperitoneally.

Effect of berberine on barrier function in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line.

Purpose: To examine the effects of berberine, an alkaloid isolated from some medicinal herbs, on the disruption of the barrier function in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) stimulated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta).

Methods: ARPE-19 cells were cultured to confluence. Berberine and IL-1beta were added to the medium.

Effect of N-acetylcysteine on lipopolysaccharide-induced uveitis in rats.

Purpose: In this study we investigated the in vivo effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced uveitis in rats.

Methods: To induce uveitis, LPS (100 microg) was injected into subcutaneous tissue of Wistar rats (170-190 g). NAC was injected intraperitoneally.

Functional health status of patients at initial visit in primary eye clinic assessed using the Japanese versions of the COOP charts.

Patient health status was evaluated using Japanese versions of COOP charts. The subconjunctival hemorrhage group scored 3.6 in overall health and 3.

Effect of berberine on monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 expression in rat lipopolysaccharide-induced uveitis.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to examine the in vivo effects of berberine, an alkaloid isolated from some medicinal herbs, on monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1) expression in rat lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced uveitis.

Methods: LPS was injected intraperitoneally. Berberine was orally administered.

S100A9-positive granulocytes and monocytes in lipopolysaccharide-induced anterior ocular inflammation.

S100A9 is a pro-inflammatory protein expressed in infiltrating granulocytes and monocytes. We determined role of S100A9 in endotoxin (LPS)-induced uveitis (EIU) and keratitis in Wistar rats. Anti-S100A9 antibody decreased partially clinical scores, protein, and cells in the aqueous humor at 18-36 h, compared with the LPS group.

Vitreous Chemokines and Sho (Zheng in Chinese) of Chinese-Korean-Japanese medicine in patients with diabetic vitreoretinopathy.

We examined the levels of vitreous chemokines and Sho (Zheng in Chinese) of Chinese-Korean-Japanese medicine in diabetic patients. Patients undergoing vitrectomy were classified into Group 1 (no diabetic retinopathy), Group 2 (diabetic retinopathy with no or a few new vessels), and Group 3 (diabetic retinopathy with many new vessels). The levels of IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES in the vitreous fluid were measured using cytometric bead array method.

Effect of berberrubine on interleukin-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cell line.

We examined the effects of berberrubine, a protoberberine alkaloid, on interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) stimulated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). ARPE-19 cells were cultured to confluence. Berberrubine and IL-1beta or TNF-alpha were added to the medium.

Alkali burns of the eye: effect of immediate copious irrigation with tap water on their severity.

Purpose: To examine the effect of immediate irrigation on ocular alkali burn.

Methods: Information on the injury, immediate irrigation, and ocular findings was retrospectively obtained from each patient's record.

Results: 36 patients (49 eyes) irrigated their eyes with tap water (the irrigation group) and 17 patients (29 eyes) did not (no irrigation group).

Ocular findings in Japanese children with nephrotic syndrome receiving prolonged corticosteroid therapy.

Objective: To examine ocular findings in Japanese children with nephrotic syndrome who receive prolonged corticosteroid treatment.

Methods: Information was retrospectively obtained from each patient's record.

Results: A total of 45 children (30 boys and 15 girls) were enrolled.

Effect of berberine on interleukin 8 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 expression in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to examine the effects of berberine, an alkaloid isolated from some medicinal herbs, on interleukin 8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) expression in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) stimulated with interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha).

Methods: ARPE-19 cells were cultured to confluence. Berberine and IL-1beta or TNF-alpha were added to the medium.

Effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) on IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cell line.

Purpose: To examine pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptors (PAC1, VPAC1, and VPAC2) mRNA and the effect of PACAP on interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) stimulated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta).

Methods: Expression of PACAP receptor mRNA was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). PACAP and IL-1beta were added to serum-free medium.

Epiblepharon with inverted eyelashes and high body mass index in Japanese children.

Purpose: To evaluate the sexual predilection of epiblepharon in Japanese children and the relationship between this condition and body mass index.

Subjects And Methods: Japanese children who were 6 to 14 years old were cross-sectionally surveyed on routine health screening.

Results: Of 2,941 children examined, 127 had epiblepharon.

Ocular findings in Japanese patients with varicella-zoster virus infection.

Purpose: To examine ocular findings in Japanese patients with varicella, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, and acute retinal necrosis.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted. Information on the ocular, cutaneous, systemic, and virologic findings on pediatric and adult patients was obtained from medical records.

Uveitis and pseudouveitis presenting for the first time in Japanese elderly patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of uveitis or pseudouveitis presenting de novo in Japanese elderly patients.

Methods: We retrospectively examined 296 patients with uveitis or pseudouveitis who were treated at Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital. Patients were followed up for 1 week to 5 years (mean, 11 months).

Effect of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone on interleukin 8 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 expression in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line.

Purpose: To examine melanocortin receptor (from MC-1 to MC-5) mRNA and the effect of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) on interleukin 8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) expression in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) stimulated with IL-1beta or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha).

Methods: Expressions of MC-1 to MC-5 mRNA were examined by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). alpha-MSH and IL-1beta or TNF-alpha were added to serum-free medium.

Effects of intravenous administration of FR122047 (a selective cyclooxygenase 1 inhibitor) and FR188582 (a selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor) on prostaglandin-E2-induced aqueous flare elevation in pigmented rabbits.

Purpose: Two isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) exist. To determine in vivo effects of the intravenous administration of FR122047 (a selective COX-1 inhibitor), FR188582 (a selective COX-2 inhibitor), diclofenac sodium or dexamethasone phosphate disodium on prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2)-induced aqueous flare elevation and mRNA levels for COX-1 and COX-2 in pigmented rabbits.

Methods: To produce aqueous flare elevation in rabbits, PGE2, 25 microg/ml, was applied to the cornea with the use of a glass cylinder.

Effects of rolipram, a selective inhibitor of type 4 phosphodiesterase, on lipopolysaccharide-induced uveitis in rats.

Purpose: To investigate effects of rolipram, an inhibitor of type 4 phosphodiesterase, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced uveitis in Wistar rats.

Methods: A total of 100 microg LPS was injected into the rat footpad. Rolipram (Wako Pure Chemical, Osaka, Japan) was injected intraperitoneally 30 minutes before administration of LPS.

Almost simultaneous onset of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in co-workers, friends, and neighbors.

Purpose: To report almost simultaneous onset of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome in co-workers, friends, and neighbors.

Methods: The onset of VKH syndrome in six patients was examined.

Results: Patient 1 and Patient 2 worked in the same room of an office and developed VKH syndrome 3 weeks apart from each other.

Effects of oral administration of Gardeniae fructus extract and intravenous injection of crocetin on lipopolysaccharide- and prostaglandin E2-induced elevation of aqueous flare in pigmented rabbits.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of extracts of Coptidis rhizoma, Phellodendri cortex and Gardeniae fructus, which are medicinal herbs in Orengedoku-to (Huanglin-Jie-Du-Tang in Chinese), and crocetin (a major component of Gardeniae fructus) on experimental elevation of aqueous flare in pigmented rabbits. To produce aqueous flare elevation, 0.5 microg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected into the ear vein, or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) 25 microg/ml, was applied to the cornea by means of a glass cylinder.

Effects of topical corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on prostaglandin e2-induced aqueous flare elevation in pigmented rabbits.

We evaluated the effects of anti-inflammatory potency of corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-induced aqueous flare elevation in pigmented rabbits. Transcorneal diffusion of PGE2, 25 microg/ml (7.09 x 10(-2) mmol/l), with the use of a glass cylinder was achieved to produce aqueous flare elevation.

An eyelid mass caused by a migrated hard contact lens.

Purpose: To describe a mass caused by a hard contact lens in the upper eyelid.

Methods: We present a case of a 77-year-old man who complained of a mass in his right upper eyelid. He had previously undergone cataract surgery in the right eye at age 60 and then became a hard contact lens wearer.

Effects of topical mydriatics and vasoconstrictors on prostaglandin-E2-induced aqueous flare elevation in pigmented rabbits.

We evaluated the effects of topical instillation of mydriatics and vasoconstrictors on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) induced aqueous flare elevation in pigmented rabbits. Transcorneal diffusion of PGE2 (25 microg/ml) by means of a glass cylinder produced aqueous flare elevation. Mydriatics (atropine sulfate, tropicamide, tropicamide plus phenylephrine hydrochloride, phenylephrine hydrochloride, and cyclopentolate hydrochloride) or vasoconstrictors (naphazoline nitrate and tramazoline hydrochloride) were topically administered before PGE2 application.

Effects of baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin on interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 expression, and nuclear factor-kappab binding activities induced by interleukin-1beta in human retinal pigment epithelial cell line.

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin (plant flavonoids) on interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) protein production, mRNA expression, and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) binding activities induced by interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) cells. To induce IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA expression and protein levels, IL-1beta was added to serum-free medium of ARPE-19 cells and incubated. The flavonoids were added to the medium.