Characterization of Rabbit Corneas Subjected to Stromal Stiffening by the Acai Extract (Euterpe oleracea)

Author(s)

Bersanetti, Patricia A. ; Bueno, Tatiane L. N. ; Morandim-Giannetti, Andreia de A. ; Nogueira, Regina F. ; Matos, Jivaldo R. ; Schor, Paulo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CURRENT EYE RESEARCH; v. 42, n. 4, p. 528-533, APR 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 4

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, we characterized rabbit corneas subjected to corneal cross-linking (CXL) with acai extract compared with a riboflavin photo-stimulated procedure. Materials and Methods: The corneas of the slaughterhouse rabbits were divided into three groups: control, consisting of untreated corneal samples; riboflavin/UVA, where corneas were treated with 0.1% riboflavin photo-stimulated at 365 nm as the standard protocol; and acai, where the samples were subjected to 4% acai extract for 0.5-2 h. After the CXL procedure, corneas of the three groups were characterized by analyzing their elastic modulus and thermal denaturation profile. Results: The elastic modulus at 3% strain showed an approximately threefold increase in the riboflavin/UVA group and 10.5 times in the corneas treated with 4% acai extract for 2 h, compared with the control group (p < 0.01). The denaturation temperature values of the two groups of crosslinked corneas increased significantly (p < 0.05) and were more pronounced in the acai group. Conclusions: The acai extract was effective in promoting CXL in rabbit corneas as characterized by the different techniques. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/07343-8 - Structural modification, physical-chemical characterization and biological testing of biomaterials and tissue for ophthalmic use
• Grantee: Paulo Schor
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/20857-3 - Characterization of corneas after structural modification by agents that promotes collagen crosslinking
• Grantee: Patrícia Alessandra Bersanetti
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants