AIM: To investigate the effects of hydrogen(H2) on Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase(SOD1) activation in a rat model of corneal alkali burn. METHODS: In each rat, one cornea was subjected to alkali exposure. Physiological s...AIM: To investigate the effects of hydrogen(H2) on Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase(SOD1) activation in a rat model of corneal alkali burn. METHODS: In each rat, one cornea was subjected to alkali exposure. Physiological saline(saline group) or H2-dissolved saline(H2 group) was instilled continuously on the cornea for 5 min before and after alkali exposure. Inflammatory cells, neovascularization, and cytoplasmic SOD1 levels were evaluated immunohistochemically in enucleated eyes from both groups. Three-dimensional ultrastructural tissue changes in the eyes were analyzed using low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy.RESULTS: The numbers of both inflammatory and vascular endothelial cells were significantly reduced in the corneas of the H2 group(P<0.01). Furthermore, H2 treatment increased both cytoplasmic SOD1 levels(P<0.01) and activity in corneal epithelial cells(P<0.01). Notably, the SOD1 activity level in the H2 group was approximately 2.5-fold greater than that in the saline group.CONCLUSION: H2 treatment suppresses inflammation and neovascularization in the injured cornea and indirectly suppresses oxidative insult to the cornea by upregulating the SOD1 enzyme protein level and activity.展开更多
文摘AIM: To investigate the effects of hydrogen(H2) on Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase(SOD1) activation in a rat model of corneal alkali burn. METHODS: In each rat, one cornea was subjected to alkali exposure. Physiological saline(saline group) or H2-dissolved saline(H2 group) was instilled continuously on the cornea for 5 min before and after alkali exposure. Inflammatory cells, neovascularization, and cytoplasmic SOD1 levels were evaluated immunohistochemically in enucleated eyes from both groups. Three-dimensional ultrastructural tissue changes in the eyes were analyzed using low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy.RESULTS: The numbers of both inflammatory and vascular endothelial cells were significantly reduced in the corneas of the H2 group(P<0.01). Furthermore, H2 treatment increased both cytoplasmic SOD1 levels(P<0.01) and activity in corneal epithelial cells(P<0.01). Notably, the SOD1 activity level in the H2 group was approximately 2.5-fold greater than that in the saline group.CONCLUSION: H2 treatment suppresses inflammation and neovascularization in the injured cornea and indirectly suppresses oxidative insult to the cornea by upregulating the SOD1 enzyme protein level and activity.
