Effectiveness of Topical Cyclosporin-A 0.1% Compared to Combined Topical Cyclosporin-A 0.1% with Topical Sodium Hyaluronate on Interleukin-6 Levels in the Tears of Patients with Dry Eye Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Pro-inflammatory cytokines are important contributors to dry eye disease (DED). The cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 has become a therapeutic target in several DED drug studies. This randomized controlled trial aimed to determine the effectiveness of topical cyclosporin-A 0.1% compared to the combination of topical cyclosporin-A 0.1% and sodium hyaluronate in reducing tear IL-6 levels in DED patients. METHODS: The participants were 20 patients, each with two eyes, who had moderate-to-severe DED. Before and after treatment, the clinical degree of DED was examined in each group, using ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores, tear break-up time (TBUT), fluorescent tests, and Schirmer I tests. In addition, tear samples were taken to examine IL-6 levels through the ELISA method. The results were analyzed using the t-test, Wilcoxon test, and Mann-Whitney test. The correlation between tear IL-6 levels and the severity of DED was analyzed using the Spearman correlation test. RESULTS: The study showed a significantly lower tear IL-6 level, OSDI score, and degree of ocular staining after either topical cyclosporin-A 0.1% or a combination of topical cyclosporin-A 0.1% and sodium hyaluronate (all values p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combination therapy was superior in reducing tear IL-6 levels. In addition, a correlation existed between tear IL-6 levels and the severity of DED based on the TBUT, although it was weak and not statistically significant.

Peripherin/RDS gene in Indonesian patients with retinitis pigmentosa: geographic comparison of polymorphic variations.

To analyze peripherin/RDS (retinal degeneration slow) gene alterations in Indonesian patients with retinitis pigmentosa. We examined the gene in 13 unrelated Indonesian patients with retinitis pigmentosa and in 24 normal individuals. Peripheral venous blood was extracted, and genomic DNAs were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were directly sequenced. Each subject underwent ocular examination. The prevalence of the gene alteration was compared to that reported in Japanese and Caucasian populations. Among 13 patients, 3 concurrently had Glu304Gln and Gly338 Asp alterations at exon 3 of the peripherin/RDS gene. Two patients had heterozygous alterations and one had a homozygous variation. The prevalence of the alterations (23%) in Indonesian patients was similar to that in Japanese patients (26%) and was lower than that in Caucasian patients (30-70%). The alterations were also observed in 7 of 24 (29%) normal healthy Indonesian individuals. Peripherin/RDS gene polymorphisms (Glu304Gln and Gly338Asp) were found in Indonesian patients with retinitis pigmentosa. The prevalence of alterations in Indonesian patients was similar to that in Japanese patients and lower than in Caucasian patients.