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Published on: August 20, 2016
[Mitomycin C toxicity in rabbit corneal endothelium]
Maria Rosa Bet de Moraes Silva1, Elisa Aparecida Gregório
1Departamento de Oftalmologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brasil. rosabet@fmb.unesp.br
Purpose:
To evaluate corneal endothelium alterations after applying mitomycin C to the sclera using transmission and scanning electron microscopy, correlating alterations with time, concentration, and evaluation methods.
Methods:
The corneal endothelium of both eyes of 32 albino rabbits was evaluated and distributed into four groups of 8. Mitomycin C was applied under a scleral flap in the right eye for 5 minutes. Mitomycin C concentrations were 0.5 mg/ml for G1 and G2 and 0.2 mg/ml for G3 and G4. Examinations were performed 15 days after application to G1 and G3, and 30 days after application to G2 and G4. Four cornea in each group were prepared for transmission electron microscopy and four for scanning electron microscopy. Left eyes of all animals were used as controls.
Results:
Transmission electron microscopy showed corneal endothelium alterations in all groups: rarefied cytoplasm, dilation and fragmentation of rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, Golgi apparatus with cisternal dilation, reduced vacuoles, and irregularities of internal membrane more noticeable in G1 and G2. Scanning electron microscopy revealed alterations in all groups except G1: changes in the shape and size of cells and longer filopodial projections.
Conclusions:
1 - Corneal endothelium alterations were seen at both 0.5 and 0.2 mg/ml concentrations and at 15 and 30 days after mytomicin C application; 2 - Alterations were more intense with higher mytomicin C concentration by transmission electron but not by scanning electron microscopy; 3 - The alterations correlated with time by scanning electron microscopy but not by transmission electron microscopy.
Insights
Mitomycin C application to the sclera caused corneal endothelium alterations at various concentrations and time points. Transmission electron microscopy revealed more intense changes with higher concentrations, while scanning electron microscopy showed time-dependent correlations.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Microscopy
Context:
- The corneal endothelium is crucial for maintaining corneal clarity.
- Mitomycin C (MMC) is used in ophthalmic surgery but can cause toxicity.
- Understanding MMC-induced endothelial changes is vital for surgical safety.
Purpose:
- To investigate corneal endothelium alterations following scleral application of Mitomycin C.
- To correlate these changes with MMC concentration, time, and microscopy techniques.
- To compare findings between transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Summary:
- Albino rabbits received sub-conjunctival MMC (0.5 or 0.2 mg/ml) under a scleral flap for 5 minutes.
- Corneal endothelium was examined at 15 and 30 days using TEM and SEM.
- TEM showed cytoplasmic rarefaction, ER dilation, and Golgi changes, more pronounced with higher MMC concentrations.
- SEM revealed altered cell shape, size, and filopodia, with time-dependent changes but not concentration-dependent ones.
Impact:
- Corneal endothelium damage from MMC is concentration and time-dependent.
- TEM and SEM provide different insights into MMC-induced endothelial alterations.
- Findings inform strategies to mitigate MMC toxicity in ophthalmic procedures.
