Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
Primed Mycobacterial Uveitis (PMU) as a Model for Post-Infectious Uveitis
Published on: December 17, 2021
Prophylactic ophthalmic bethametazone for sulfur mustard-induced ocular injury
Mostafa Naderi1, Gholam-Reza Kaka, Khosro Jadidi
1Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
The present study sought to evaluate the prophylactic effect of bethametazone on sulfur mustard (SM)-induced ocular morphometric damage in the rabbit eye.
Methods:
Twenty five healthy New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 4 groups of normal (not exposed to SM or solution), solution (exposed to solution), SM (exposed to SM), and prophylactic bethametazone (received eye solution of bethametazone then exposed to SM solution; then treated for 2 weeks). On the day 14 after exposure, five-micron sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin for light microscopy evaluation. The ocular morphometric characteristics in the study groups were compared to determine the prophylactic effects of the bethametazone.
Results:
Bethamethazone could protect eyes from SM effect by means of decrease in changes in number of Keratocyte in 10000 μm(2), thickness of cornea (μm), thickness of corneal epithelium (μm), number of meibomian gland's cells in 2500 μm(2), thickness of palpebral conjuctival epithelium (μm), thickness of epithelial of palpebral skin (μm), number of epithelial layers of palpebral skin, and number of goblet cells in conjunctival sac in 1000 μm.
Conclusions:
Bethametazone may have a prophylactic effect on the early lesions of the eye of the rabbit due to SM exposure.
Insights
Bethametazone demonstrated a protective effect against sulfur mustard (SM) ocular damage in rabbits. This corticosteroid reduced key morphometric changes in the cornea, conjunctiva, and eyelids following SM exposure.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Sulfur mustard (SM) causes significant ocular morphometric damage.
- Evaluating prophylactic treatments for SM-induced eye injuries is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prophylactic efficacy of bethametazone against sulfur mustard-induced ocular morphometric damage in a rabbit model.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-five rabbits were divided into four groups: control, solution-exposed, SM-exposed, and prophylactic bethametazone-treated.
- Ocular tissues were analyzed using light microscopy on day 14 post-exposure.
- Morphometric parameters were compared to evaluate bethametazone's protective effects.
Main Results:
- Bethametazone significantly reduced SM-induced changes in corneal thickness, corneal epithelium thickness, and keratoctye count.
- It also decreased alterations in meibomian gland cell count, palpebral conjunctival epithelium thickness, and palpebral skin epithelial thickness.
- The number of epithelial layers in palpebral skin and goblet cells in the conjunctival sac were also improved by bethametazone.
Conclusions:
- Bethametazone exhibits potential prophylactic effects against early-stage ocular lesions induced by sulfur mustard.
- This finding suggests bethametazone as a possible therapeutic agent for SM-related eye injuries.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
01:23Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems