brass and Eye-Foreign-Bodies

Brass splinters weighing 28 mg were implanted in the center of the vitreous of rabbit eyes. After a few days the well-known infiltration and liquefaction of the vitreous body were observed, together with retinal necrosis. Cellular and lysosomal enzymes usually found only in very low concentrations in the vitreous body increased more than a hundredfold during the inflammatory process and the increasing opacification. The enzymes assayed were lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), phosphofructose aldolase (ALD), glycerinaldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH), glutathione reductase (GR), beta-N-acetylglucose aminidase (NAcGA), and cathepsin-D. The kinetics of enzyme reproduction in the vitreous suggested that the cellular enzymes of the energy producing metabolism might originate both from the invading leukocytes as well as from the degrading retina. It seems likely that the cathepsin-D occurring in the vitreous originates mainly from the retina, and the beta-N-acetylglucose aminidase mainly from the pigment epithelium. The pathologically increased enzyme activity might well permit diagnostic conclusions concerning the intensity and stage of destruction of the retina by brass poisoning.

Topics: Animals; Copper; Energy Metabolism; Enzymes; Eye Foreign Bodies; Eye Proteins; Lysosomes; Ophthalmoscopy; Rabbits; Retina; Vitreous Body; Zinc

This paper reports on ophthalmoscopic findings after implantation of 0.3 mm2 copper-zinc wires (85:15) into the vitreous body of rat eyes (2 groups of 11 animals each) and the influence of daily administration of Decadron-Phosphate, equivalent to 0.05 mg dexamethasone. This drug, injected subconjunctivally over a period of 10 days, reduces the vitreal opacities and both retinal as well as vitreal vascularization, but increases the tendency of the foreign bodies to migrate. The dose-dependent decline in bodyweight gain is an indicator of the drug's systemic effect. In order to distinguish mechanical damage from the metal intoxication, glass splinters of the same size and shape were implanted in a further series of experiments, for the purpose of comparison.

Topics: Animals; Copper; Dexamethasone; Eye Foreign Bodies; Foreign-Body Reaction; Ophthalmic Solutions; Ophthalmoscopy; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Vitreous Body; Zinc