Abstract
Purpose :
Exposure to airborne particulate matter can induce ocular surface damage and inflammation. We evaluated the efficacy of eye wash solution (EYEBON-W®, Kobayashi, Japan) to protect the ocular surface damage induced by airborne carbon black (CB) exposure, which is one of major airborne particulate matter components.
Methods :
Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to ambient CB for two hours twice daily for five days. In the eye wash group, the eyes were irrigated with commercial eye wash solution (EYEBON-W®) for 30-60 seconds after each time of CB exposure (twice daily) for five days. In the saline group, the eyes were irrigated with saline in the same method after CB exposure. Corneal fluorescein staining scores, ocular surface rose bengal scores, and tear lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were measured to evaluate ocular surface damage. In addition, the tear protein analysis (lactoferrin, histamine, and matrix metallopeptidase 9 [MMP-9]) and serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G and E were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of interleukin (IL)-4, 17, and interferon (IFN)-γ in the anterior segment of the eyeball was measured by western blot analysis.
Results :
After airborne CB exposure, the median corneal staining scores (11.75), ocular surface rose bengal scores (9.50), and LDH activity (0.69 optical density [OD]) were significantly increased compared with those of normal controls (2.50, 2.25 , 0.20 OD, respectively) (n=4). Furthermore, the exposure of CB significantly increased tear histamine and MMP-9 concentrations, serum IgG and IgE levels, and the expression of IL-4, IFN-γ in the anterior segment of the eyeball. The eye wash group showed lower ocular staining scores, lower tear LDH activity and tear histamine concentration, lower serum IgG and IgE levels, and lower expression of IL-4 in the anterior segment of the eyeball compared to CB group.
Conclusions :
Exposure to airborne black carbon induced ocular surface damage and increased tear histamine and MMP-9 concentrations and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the eyes. The use of eye wash solution after exposure to airborne particulate matter seems to have a protective effect on the ocular surface damage and inflammation.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.