Influence of electroacupuncture on histomorphology of lacrimal glands and ocular surface in experimental dry eye syndrome

Abstract

Objective

To observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) on histomorphologies of lacrimal glands, cornea and conjunctiva in experimental dry eye syndrome, and to explore the repair effects of EA on lacrimal glands and ocular surface damage.

Methods

Twenty-four healthy male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an EA group and a medication group, 6 rabbits in each group. Experimental dry eye syndrome models were prepared in rabbits by using 0.1% benzalkonium chloride for eye drops. Tear secretion volume, break-up time of tear film (BUT) and corneal fluorescein staining score were observed before and after the treatment. Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining method was used to observe the changes of conjunctival goblet cells in rabbits. After hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining, morphological changes of rabbit cornea, conjunctiva and lacrimal gland tissues were observed under light microscope.

Results

Compared with the normal group, tear secretion volume and BUT were significantly reduced (both P<0.01), while the corneal fluorescein staining score was significantly increased (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, tear secretion volume and BUT were significantly increased, while the corneal fluorescein staining score was significantly decreased in the EA group and the medication group (all P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the number of conjunctival goblet cells in the model group was significantly reduced; compared with the model group, the numbers of conjunctival goblet cells were all relatively higher in the EA group and the medication group. Pathological lesions of cornea, conjunctiva and lacrimal glands all showed improvement by HE staining in the EA group and the medication group after the intervention.

Conclusion

EA can improve tear secretion and tear film stability of rabbit dry eye syndrome, and repair the pathologic lesions of conjunctival goblet cells, corneal epithelia, cornea, conjunctiva and lacrimal glands.

摘要

目的

观察电针对实验性干眼症兔泪腺、角膜和结膜组织形态学的影响, 探讨电针对干眼症泪腺和眼表损伤的修复作用。

方法

健康雄性新西兰兔24 只, 随机分为正常组、模型组、电针组和药物组, 每组6 只。采 用0.1%苯扎氯铵滴眼制备兔实验性干眼症模型, 观察治疗前后实验性干眼症兔的泪量、泪膜破裂时间(break-up time, BUT)和角膜荧光素钠染色评分; 应用PAS 染色法观察兔结膜杯状细胞的变化; 采用苏木精伊红 (hematoxylin eosin, HE)染色, 光镜下观察兔角膜、结膜、泪腺 组织形态学的变化。

结果

与正常组比较, 模型组泪量、BUT 均显著减少(均P<0.01), 角膜荧光素钠染色评分显著增加(P<0.01)。与模型组比较, 电针组和药物组的泪量、BUT 均显著增加(均P<0.01), 角膜荧光素钠染色评分均显著降低(均P<0.01)。与正常组比较, 模型组结膜杯状细胞数 量显著减少; 与模型组比较, 电针组和药物组结膜杯状细胞数量均相对较多。HE 染色结果显示, 电针组、药物组 干预后角膜、结膜、泪腺组织的病理损伤均有一定改善。

结论

电针对干眼症兔泪液分泌和泪膜稳定性均具有 一定的改善作用, 对结膜杯状细胞、角膜上皮损伤和角、结膜及泪腺的病理损伤均具有一定的修复作用。