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Biomedical subjects

H F Edelhauser

Publications and source records attributed to H F Edelhauser.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Effect of the ophthalmic preservative thimerosal on rabbit and human corneal endothelium.

Widespread use of the mercurial-containing preservative thimerosal as an antibacterial agent in ophthalmic drugs and solutions warranted an investigation into its possible cytotoxic effects on the functional and ultrastructural integrity of the corneal endothelium. No changes in corneal thickness were observed during 5 hours' perfusion of the endothelium of rabbit and human corneas with 0.0001 and 0.0005 percent thimerosal in glutathione bicarbonate Ringer's solution (GBR). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the endothelium of the 0.0001 percent group revealed normal ultrastructure. SEM and TEM of the endothelium of corneas perfused with 0.0005 percent thimerosal for 5 hours revealed condensed mitochondria, cytoplasmic vacuoles, and cytoplasmic flaps at the apical end of the cellular junctions. Perfusion of higher concentrations (0.001 and 0.005 perecnt) of thimerosal in GBR resulted in increases in corneal thickness after 2 hours and irreversible ultrastructural damage to the endothelial cells by 5 hours. Corneas perfused with 0.01 and 0.1 percent thimerosal in GBR showed a rapid and immediate increase in corneal thickness and endothelial cell death and necrosis within 1 hour. It is postulated that the mercury in thimerosal becomes bound to the cell membrane protein sulfhydryl groups, causing an increase in cellular permeability; These results suggest that the prolonged exposure of the corneal endothelium to thimerosal in the accepted antimicrobial dosage of 0.005 to 0.001 percent may result in functional and structural damage to the endothelium.

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Comparative toxicity of intraocular irrigating solutions on the corneal endothelium.

Isolated rabbit and human corneas were perfused in vitro with Plasma-lyte 148 solution and with a glutathione bicarbonate Ringer's solution. The corneal swelling rate and ultrastructure were compared to corneas perfused with three commonly used intraocular irrigating solutions. Corneas perfused with Plasma-lyte 148 swelled at a rate of 47 mu/gr and the endothelial cells separated from each other and showed extensive damage after three hours of perfusion. By comparison, corneas perfused with 0.9% NaCl increased in thickness by 98 mu/hr, lactated Ringer's by 39 mu/hr, balanced salt solution by 24 mu/hr, and glutathione bicarbonate Ringer's solution by 4 mu/hr. These results indicate that endothelial cell damage and increased corneal thickness observed during perfusion was related to the incomplete composition of 0.9% NaCl, Plasma-lyte 148, and lactated Ringer's and that endothelial cell damage can be prevented if the intraocular irrigating solution contains concentrations of inorganic and organic constituents that are similar to those in aqueous humor.

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Effect of thiol-oxidation of glutathione with diamide on corneal endothelial function, junctional complexes, and microfilaments.

Intracellular-reduced glutathione (GSH) was removed by thiol-oxidation with diamide during in vitro perfusion of the corneal endothelium. By 15 min the normal mosaic-like pattern of the endothelial cells was disrupted by serpentine-like lines of cell separation at the cell juntions. After 45 min of perfusion, infividual clusters of cells formed cup-shaped islands. The resultant exposure of Descemet's membrane to the perfusion solution resulted in corneal swelling. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the endothelial cells separated at the apical junctions and that the microfilaments in the apical cytoplasm of cells formed dense bands, whereas the other subcellular organelles were normal in appearance. The change in cellular shape may be due to loss of cellular adhesion which results in the condensation of the microfilaments or contraction of the microfilaments. The addition of glucose to the perfusate prevented the diamide effect, and the diamide effect could be reversed upon removal and perfusion of a glutathione bicarbonate Ringer's solution. These results suggest that the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione in the endothelial cells plays a role in the maintenance of the endothelial cell barrier function.

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Intraocular irrigating solutions. Their effect on the corneal endothelium.

The effects of several intraocular irrigating solutions on the corneal endothelium of rabbit and monkey corneas were evaluated, utilizing a specular microscope perfusion system with both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Corneas perfused with 0.9% sterile isotonic physiological saline swell at a rate of 60mum to 90mum/hr; endothelial cells separate from each other and show extensive degenerative changes. Corneas perfused with lactated Ringer solution swell at a rate of 37mum to 40mum/hr, and the endothelial cells show slower, but progressive degeneration. Corneas perfused with balanced salt solution swell at 24mum to 31mum/hr, and degenerative changes become severe only after two hours. Corneas perfused with Ringer solution containing bicarbonate, reduced glutathione, and adenosine do not increase in thickness, and there is minimal deterioration of endothelial ultrastructure for periods of up to six hours.

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Effect of epinephrine on the corneal edothelium.

Intracameral epinephrine has been advocated for treatment of iris bleeding and inadequate pupillary dilatation during intraocular surgery. Commercial epinephrine 1:1000 with its preservative sodium bisulfite damaged corneal endothelial function and ultrastructure in rabbit and monkey eyes with sodium bisulfite the source of the damage. Endothelial damage can be prevented with a 1:5000 dilution of commercially available epinephrine in 0.1% sodium bisulfite or freshly prepared epinephrine bitartrate 1:1000 with a bicarbonate Ringers.

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