Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Distribution of catecholaminergic nerve fibers in normal and alkali-injured rabbit corneas

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Ophthalmology

Abstract

The alkali-burned corneas of 12 rabbits were studied with fluorescence microscopy 1 week, 3 weeks, and 6 months after injury to identify the arrangement of catecholaminergic nerve fibers (CNF) and related levels of norepinephrine. In the wounded corneas, CNF were reduced at both 1 and 3 weeks and were restored by 6 months, as shown by histofluorescent staining. Biochemical results showed that norepinephrine also passes through surviving, degenerating, and regenerating phases.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Conners MS, Urbano F, Vafeas C, Stoltz, RA, Dunn MW, Schwartzman ML. Alkali burn-induced synthesis of inflammatory eicosanoids in rabbit corneal epithelium. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1997;38:1963–1971.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Brown SI, Wassermann HE, Dunn MW. Alkali burn of the cornea. Arch Ophthalmol. 1969;82:91–94.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Pfister RR, Burnstein N. The alkali burned cornea: I. Epithelial and stomal repair. Exp Eye Res. 1976;23:519–535.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Cavallotti C, Gherardi F, Artico M, et al. Catecholaminergic nerve fibers in normal and alkali-burned rabbit cornea. Can J Ophthalmol. 1998:33:259–263.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Francois, J, Feher J. Collagenolysis and regeneration in corneal burnings, Ophthalmologica. 1972;165:137–152.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Falck B, Hillarp NA, Thieme G, Torp A. Fluorescence of catecholamines and related compounds condensed with formaldehyde. J Histochem Cytochem. 1962;10:348–354.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Keller R, Oke A, Melford I, Adams RN. Liquid chromatographic analysis of catecholamines. Life Sci 1976;19:995–1004.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Rodrigues MM. Cornea In: Jacobiec FA, ed. Ocular Anatomy, Embryology and Teratology. New York, NY: Harper & Row Publishers; 1972:153–165.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Schlemm F. Berliner Ency Klopaedische Woerterbuch der Medizinische Wissenschaft. Ammos Z Ophthalmol. 1830;1:113–118.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Duke-Elder S. The anatomy of the visual system: the corneal nerves. In: Duke-Elder S, ed. System of Ophthalmology. Vol. 2. London, England: Henry Kimpton; 1961:120–131.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Zander E, Weddeel G. Nerve fibers of the cornea. Br J Ophthalmol. 1951;35:61–68.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Sakamoto K. Histological study on the innervation of the human cornea. Tohoku J Exp Med. 1951;54:105–114.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Mawas J. The innervation of the human cornea. Bull Soc Ophthalmol Fr. 1951;5:162–170.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Rodger FC. Some observations on the corneal innervation. Trans Ophthalmol Soc U K 1951;71:687–693.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Genis-Calvez JM. Innervation vegetative de la substantia propria de la corneè. Acta Neuroveget (Wien). 1956;15:43–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Toivanen M, Tervo T, Partanen M, Vannas A, Hervonen A. Histochemical demonstration of adrenergic nerves in the stroma of human cornea Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1987;28:398–400.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Boeke J. Innervation Studien: VII. Zur Innervation der Cornea bei Saugen. Z Zellforschung Mikroskopische Anat. 1935;38:594–618.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Itahashy K. The nerve fibers of the rabbit cornea. Acta Soc Ophthalmol Jap. 1952;56:42–49.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Hoyes AD, Barber P. Ultrastructure of the corneal nerves in the rat. Cell Tissue Res. 1976;172:133–144.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Tervo T, Palkama A. Innervation of the rabbit cornea. A histochemical and electronmicroscopic study. Acta Anat. 1978;102:164–175.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Rozsa AJ, Berman RW. Density and organization of free nerve endings in the corneal epithelium of the rabbit. Pain. 1982;14:105–109.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Cavallotti C, Ceccarelli E, Evangelisti F, Amenta F: Nerve fibers with a selective affinity for Quinacrine in the cornea. Acta Anat. 1982;112:14–17.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Marfurt CF. The sympathetic innervation of the rat cornea as demonstrated by the retrograde and anterograde transport of horseradish peroxidase-wheat germ agglutinin. J Comp Neurol. 1988;268:147–160.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Mueller LJ, Pels L, Vrensen GFJM. Ultrastructural organization of human corneal nerves. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1996;37:476–488.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Mueller LJ, Vrensen GFJM, Pels L, Cardozo BN, Willekens B. Architecture of human corneal nerves. Invest Opthalmol Vis Sci. 1997;38:985–994.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Jones MA, Marfurt CF: Peptidergic innervation of the rat cornea. Exp Eye Res. 1998;66:421–435.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Marfut CF, Jones MA, Thrasher K. Parasympathetic innervation of the rat cornea. Exp Eye Res. 1998;66:437–448.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Stone RA. Nervous system and intraocular pressure. In: Ritch R. ed. The Glaucomas: Basic Sciences: St Luis, Mo: CV Mosby Co; 1996:357–383.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Ehinger B, Falck B, Rosengren E. Adfenergic denervation of the eye by unilateral cervical sympathectomy. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 1969;177:206–212.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Bjorklund H, Hokfelt T, Goldstein M, Terenius I, Olson I. Appearance of the noradrenergic markers tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y in cholinergic nerves of the iris following sympathectomy. J Neurosci 1985;5:1633–1643.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Marfut CF, Ellis LC. Immunohistochemical localization of tyrosine hydroxylase in corneal nerves. J Comp Neurol. 1993;336:517–531.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Edvinsson L, Owman C, Rosengren E, West KA. Concentration of noradrenaline in pial vessels, choroid plexus and iris during two weeks after sympathetic ganglionectomy or decentralization. Acta Physiol Scand. 1972;85:201–206.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Smolin G, Thoft RA. Anatomy of the conjunctiva, cornea and limbus. In: Gipson IK, ed. The Cornea. Boston, Mass: Little Brown & Co; 1994:13–116.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Mac Iver MB, Tanelian DL. Structural and functional specialization of A-delta and C-fiber-free nerve endings innervating rabbit corneal epithelium. J Neurosci. 1993;13:4511–4524.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Chan KY, Jarvelainen M, Chang JH, Edenfield MJ. Acryo-damage model for studying corneal nerve regeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1990;31:2008–2021.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Wang D, Wang C, Yang, X. Observations on damage and regeneration of corneal nerves of rabbit eyes with herpes simplex keratitis. Chung Hua-Yen. 1995;31:52–54.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. C. Cavallotti is from, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Via A. Borelli 50, 00161 Rome, Rome, Italy

    Nicola Pescosolido MD, Elena Pacella MD & Francesco Gherardi MD

  2. Section of Anatomy, Dr. D. Cavallotti is from, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Via A. Borelli 50, 00161 Rome, Rome, Italy

    Carlo Cavallotti MD, PhD

  3. Second Neurological Clinic, Dr. Artico is from, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Via A. Borelli 50, 00161 Rome, Rome, Italy

    Daniela Cavallotti MD

  4. Department of Pharmacology of Natural Molecules and General Physiology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Via A. Borelli 50, 00161 Rome, Rome, Italy

    Marco Artico MD, PharmD

Authors
  1. Nicola Pescosolido MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Carlo Cavallotti MD, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Marco Artico MD, PharmD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Daniela Cavallotti MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Elena Pacella MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Francesco Gherardi MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pescosolido, N., Cavallotti, C., Artico, M. et al. Distribution of catecholaminergic nerve fibers in normal and alkali-injured rabbit corneas. Ann Ophthalmol 32, 307–312 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12009-000-0069-3

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12009-000-0069-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation