Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ascorbic acid levels in dog eye fluid after lens surgery
By De Biaggi, Christianni P et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2006·School of Veterinary Medicine, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Ascorbic acid levels of aqueous humor of dogs after experimental phacoemulsification.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of mixed-breed dogs underwent cataract surgery using a technique called phacoemulsification, which can cause some eye irritation and inflammation. After the surgery, the dogs showed a significant drop in a key antioxidant, ascorbic acid, in the fluid inside their eyes, which lasted for up to 15 days. This decrease in antioxidants suggests that the surgery may lead to increased free radicals, which can be harmful. The dogs were monitored closely, and while their antioxidant levels were lower than normal for a while, they gradually improved over time.
People also search for: dog cataract surgery recovery · phacoemulsification side effects in dogs · dog eye surgery antioxidants
Abstract
Phacoemulsification has been successfully employed in humans and animals for lens extraction. This ultrasonic extracapsular surgical technique induces hydroxyl radical formation in the anterior chamber, which accumulates despite irrigation and aspiration. In this paper we determined the total antioxidant status of aqueous humor after phacoemulsification by measuring aqueous humor ascorbic acid levels. Mixed-breed dogs (n = 11; weighing about 10 kg) with normal eyes as determined by slit-lamp biomicroscopy, applanation tonometry, and indirect ophthalmoscopy had phacoemulsification performed in one eye with the other eye used as a control. Samples of aqueous humor were obtained by anterior chamber paracentesis before surgery and at days 1, 2, 3, 7, and 15 after surgery. Total aqueous humor antioxidant status was inferred from the capacity of aqueous humor to inhibit free radical generation by 2,2-azobis (2-amidopropane) chlorine. Ascorbic acid concentrations were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography with UV detection. Protein content was determined with the biuret reagent. Statistical analysis was performed by anova followed by the paired t-test. Total antioxidant capacity was reduced from 48 to 27 min during the first 24 h with a gradual increase thereafter, remaining statistically lower than the control eye until 7 days postoperatively. Reduced levels of ascorbic acid followed this reduction in antioxidant capacity (from 211 to 99 microm after 24 h), remaining lower than the control eye until 15 days postoperatively. Protein concentration in aqueous humor increased from 0.62 mg/mL to 30.8 mg/mL 24 h after surgery, remaining statistically lower than the control eye until 15 days postoperatively. Paracentesis alone did not significantly alter the parameters measured. These results indicate that after phacoemulsification, the aqueous humor ascorbic acid levels and antioxidant defenses in aqueous humor are reduced, indirectly corroborating free radical production in the anterior chamber as a result of phacoemulsification. The inflammatory process consequent to the surgical procedure demonstrated by increased protein content in aqueous humor can also contribute to free radical production and ascorbic acid consumption.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16939457/