Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0086543 (cataract)
 29,165 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is an allergic eye disease that especially affects young boys. The most common symptoms are itching, photophobia, burning, and tearing. The most common signs are giant papillae, superficial keratitis, and conjunctival hyperaemia. Patients with VKC frequently have a family or medical history of atopic diseases, such as asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. However, VKC is not associated with a positive skin test or RAST in 42-47% of patients, confirming that it is not solely an IgE-mediated disease. On the basis of challenge studies as well as immunohistochemical and mediator studies, a Th2-driven mechanism with the involvement of mast cells, eosinophils, and lymphocytes has been suggested. Th2 lymphocytes are responsible for both hyperproduction of IgE (interleukin 4, IL-4) and for differentiation and activation of mast cells (IL-3) and eosinophils (IL-5). Other studies have demonstrated the involvement of neural factors such as substance P and NGF in the pathogenesis of VKC, and the overexpression of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the conjunctiva of VKC patients has introduced the possible involvement of sex hormones. Thus, the pathogenesis of VKC is probably multifactorial, with the interaction of the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems. The clinical management of VKC requires a swift diagnosis, correct therapy, and evaluation of the prognosis. The diagnosis is generally based on the signs and symptoms of the disease, but in difficult cases can be aided by conjunctival scraping, demonstrating the presence of infiltrating eosinophils. Therapeutic options are many, in most cases topical, and should be chosen on the basis of the severity of the disease. The most effective drugs, steroids, should however be carefully administered, and only for brief periods, to avoid secondary development of glaucoma.A 2% solution of cyclosporine in olive oil or in castor oil should be considered as an alternative. The long-term prognosis of patients is generally good; however 6% of patients develop corneal damage, cataract, or glaucoma.
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PMID:Vernal keratoconjunctivitis. 1506 27

Age-related cataract (ARC) is the major cause of blindness worldwide. The most significant factors are the maximal exposure of the eye lens to environmental stressors, including oxidative and glycative load. The administration of antioxidant and antiglycative supplements may reduce the risk of cataract progression. In this study, the effects of lutein (LU) and water chestnut (Trapa bispinosa Roxb.) extract (TBE) on cataracts and the expression of antioxidant-related genes were assessed in Shumiya cataract rats (SCRs). LU+TBE or castor oil (COil) as a control was administered to 6- or 9-week-old cataractous SCRs and noncataractous SCRs via a feeding needle for 3 or 4 weeks. Five-week-old SCRs were provided ad libitum access to solid regular chow containing LU, TBE, LU+TBE, or the same chow without LU and/or TBE for 3 weeks. Lenses from all rats were then extracted and photographed. The right eyes of the rats were processed for histological observation, and the left eyes were used for total RNA extraction from lens epithelial cells (LEC). The mRNA levels of antioxidant proteins, peroxiredoxin 6, and catalase were examined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Lens opacity appeared in all cataractous SCRs that began receiving LU+TBE at 9 weeks of age. However, compared to the COil group, lens opacity was decreased in the cataractous LU+TBE SCRs in all experiments. The mRNA expression levels of peroxiredoxin 6 and catalase in LECs of cataractous SCRs and cultured human LECs increased after the administration of LU+TBE. Collectively, our results highlight the anticataract and antioxidative effects of LT+TBE in SCRs. LT+TBE supplementation may, thus, be useful in delaying cataract progression.
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PMID:Lutein plus Water Chestnut (Trapa bispinosa Roxb.) Extract Inhibits the Development of Cataracts and Induces Antioxidant Gene Expression in Lens Epithelial Cells. 3250 75