glycogen and Dry-Eye-Syndromes

The effects of available pharmaceuticals on the tear film and ocular surface in dry eye are reviewed and the progress that has been made in dry eye treatment is discussed.. Pharmaceuticals are examined with regard to their effect on physical and morphological events or milestones in the natural history of dry eye disease.. Dry eye disease evolves cumulatively over time through a sequence of four events: 1) decreased tear production or increased tear film evaporation (increased tear osmolarity); 2) decreased conjunctival goblet-cell density; 3) increased corneal epithelial desquamation; and, finally, 4) destabilization of the cornea-tear interface. In the 1970s, demulcents were introduced to decrease tear film instability. More recently, preservative-free solutions have been shown to decrease corneal desquamation. The newest pharmaceutical available today is known as TheraTears (ATF); in pre-clinical studies it restores conjunctival goblet cells. On the horizon are medications such as 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), which directly stimulate tear production.. As our understanding of the pathogenesis and natural history of dry eye disease has improved, pharmaceuticals have been designed to act at earlier and more crucial points in the disease process. We are now entering a new era in dry eye treatment with the introduction of the first agent that can reverse the basic events of dry eye surface disease.

Topics: Cornea; Dry Eye Syndromes; Glycogen; Humans; Ophthalmology; Tears

Ginseng is an herbal medicine used worldwide that possesses a wide range of pharmacological activities. However, its side effects are rarely discussed. The experience of Chinese medicine has revealed that taking ginseng at a high dose chronically can cause fireness, i.e., the ginseng-abuse syndrome. Here, we explored the mechanism of ginseng's fireness by comparing the energy metabolism of mice affected by red ginseng (RG), ginseng (GS), ginseng leaves (GL) and American ginseng (AG), which exhibit different drug properties according to the theory of TCM.. KM mice were randomly divided into five groups (n≥30 per group) and administered distilled water or drugs, respectively. Mice receiving RG, GS, or GL received 4.5g/(kgday), while the mice receiving AG received 3g/(kgday). Control mice received distilled water. The duration of exposure for all groups was 31 days. The mice's physical characteristics, such as eye condition, rectal temperature, saliva secretion, urine, stool weight, blood coagulation time and swimming time, were measured at different times after administration. Energy metabolism indexes were measured via TSE phenoMaster/LabMaster animal monitoring system, including the mice' 24h oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), heat production (H) and energy expenditure (EE). Biochemical indices were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometer and microplate reader, including pyruvic acid content in serum and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and the content of glycogen in the liver tissue.. After 31 days of drug administration, mice in the RG and GS groups exhibited obviously more eye secretions, less saliva secretion and less urine. Compared with the control group, the swimming times of mice in the GS, AG and GL groups were significantly prolonged; the clotting time of mice in the GL was extended significantly; VCO2, H and EE of mice in the GS group were obviously increased; Pyruvate content of mice in the RG group showed an initial decrease followed by an increase; SDH activity of mice in the AG and GL groups was significantly inhibited; LDH activity of the mice showed no significant difference among different groups; Na(+)-K(+)-ATP enzyme activity of the RG and GS groups showed up-regulation initially and then down-regulation; the content of hepatic glycogen of mice in the GS and GL groups increased significantly.. The results demonstrated that RG and GS with their warm drug nature could enhance the body's energy metabolism to produce their dryness to the body. The liver Na(+)-K(+)-ATP enzyme activity may be the primary index for indicating the fireness of ginseng. In addition, our results demonstrated that ginseng, especially red ginseng, is not suitable for long time application with a higher dose.

Topics: Animals; Blood Coagulation; Carbon Dioxide; Dry Eye Syndromes; Energy Metabolism; Enzyme Inhibitors; Eye; Glycogen; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Liver; Male; Mice; Motor Activity; Oxygen Consumption; Panax; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Plant Roots; Plants, Medicinal; Pyruvic Acid; Salivation; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; Succinate Dehydrogenase; Thermogenesis; Time Factors; Urination