Effects of proliferative, oxidative, and inflammatory markers over the corneal endothelial cell density and aqueous humor flare in healthy dogs, and in those with senile and diabetic cataracts

• Grant number: 10/10628-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: December 01, 2010
• End date: April 30, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: José Luiz Laus
• Grantee: Alexandre Pinto Ribeiro
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate if the profile of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and superoxid dismutase (SOD), present in the aqueous humor, differs and correlate with the corneal endothelial cell density (CED)and the aqueous humor flare, in healthy dogs, and in those with senile and diabetic cataract. Routine ophthalmic examination will be acomplished, the CED and the aqueous flare count will be carried out, by means of non contact specular microscopy and laser flaremeter . Under general anesthesia, 0,3mL of aqueous humor will be aspirated through anterior chamber at the end of the electroretinography dogs with mature (n=10)and hypemature senile (n=10), and mature (n=10)and hypermature (n=10)diabetic cataracts. Likewise, aqueous humor will be collect in the same fashion previously described, in male or female dogs (n=10), submitted to elective castration, after owner authorization. Aqueous humor samples will be stored at -80 oC for further evaluation of SOD, HGF, and PGE2 by ELISA. Data will be statistically evaluated with repeated measures ANOVA, with appropriated post-hoc test. Possible correlations among results will be assessed by Person´s or Sperman´s Test. Value of P<0.05 will be considerate significant.