Hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate in rabbit tears

Abstract

The concentrations of hyaluronan (HA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) in rabbit tears were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. The tears were taken from both normal eyes and eyes with a corneal epithelial defect. The concentration of CS was 7.61 times higher than that of HA in the tears of normal eyes. When the concentration of CS isomers was compared, the highest concentration was observed in chondroitin 6-sulfate (C6S), followed by chondroitin 4-sulfate (C4S) and chondroitin (C0S), in that order. When the corneal epithelium was removed from the left eye using a trephine and microscissors, a significant increase was detected in the concentrations of HA and C6S in tears of the left eye one day after removal, whereas no change was observed in those of the right eye. In addition, a significant positive correlation was observed between the increased amount of HA concentration and the healing rate of the corneal epithelium. These results suggest that the increase of HA concentration in tears is associated with spontaneous corneal epithelial healing.

Localization of Glycosaminoglycans and CD44 in the Human Lacrimal Gland.

“…Hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate have recently demonstrated in rabbit tears using high performance liquid chromatography (MIYAUCHI et al, 1996). By the biotinylated hyaluronic acid binding region, we could not find any positive staining of hyaluronic acid in the acini and their lumen of the human lacrimal gland, although chondroitin sulfate immunoreactivity was distinctly detected in the secretory granules of acinar cells.…”

“…Although the origin of hyaluronic acid in the corneal epithelium remains unknown, ASARI et al (1992b) have suggested that hyaluronic acid may be produced in the epithelial cells, since it is also localized in the limbal epithelial and skin epidermal layers (TAMMI et al, 1988;SORRELLI et al, 1990;ASARI et al, 1992b). Therefore, the hyaluronic acid in rabbit tears demonstrated by MIYAUCHI et al (1996) may not originate from the lacrimal gland but from the corneal epithelium. Of course, we cannot deny the possibility that hyaluronic acid is released from acinar or ductal cells in the lacrimal glands of humans as well rabbits.…”

“…Histochemical studies using various types of lectins or specific staining for glycoconjugates have shown the presence of sugar chains in the mammalian lacrimal gland, including humans (JENSEN et al, 1969;JENSEN, 1970;ARMED and GRIERSON,1989). Moreover, hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate have been demonstrated in human tears collected from the corneal surface (MIYAUCHI et al, 1996), although the source of these products remains unknown. The possible source of glycosaminoglycans in tears is the lacrimal gland, but direct evidence for the presence of glycosaminoglycans has not been demonstrated here.…”

Quantitative Analysis of Chondroitin Sulfate in Tear Fluids following Laser in situ Keratomileusis

“…The CS concentration in the tear fluid may change with corneal wound healing in rabbits [4,5] , and CS can be a factor that maintains corneal homeostasis. Investigating the changes in CS in human tear fluid after LASIK is useful not only for observing the wound-healing process, but also as an indicator of the clinical results.…”

Altered hyaluronic acid content in tear fluid of patients with adenoviral conjunctivitis

“…HA plays an important role in tissue development, cell migration, cell proliferation and inflammation (Inoue and Katakami 1993, Gomes et al 2004). HA is increased in the tear fluid when corneal epithelium erosion is present, and may play an important role in corneal epithelium wound healing (Oya et al 1995, Miyauchi et al 1996. Tear fluid consistency (gel-like) can be attributed to HA (Itano et al 1999).…”