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Effect of swelling on the ultra‐structure of camel corneal stroma
Author(s) -
AKHTAR S,
KHAN F,
AHMED M,
ALMUBRAD T
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2011.3131.x
Subject(s) - stroma , cornea , collagen fibril , swelling , chemistry , stromal cell , anatomy , fibril , biophysics , biology , ophthalmology , pathology , biochemistry , medicine , immunohistochemistry
Purpose Previous studies have shown the swelling characteristics of camel cornea. Here we investigate the changes in the architecture of corneal stroma due to swelling. Methods Six fresh camel corneal buttons (8.5mm) were hydrated separately in deionised water for 24hrs and 48hrs. The change in hydration of corneal stroma was calculated per unit weight. Hydrated corneas were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde containing cuprolinic blue in sodium acetate buffer to analyse the distribution of proteoglycans (PGs). To analyse the collagen fibril diameter and spacing, tissue were fixed in para‐formaldehyde (4%) in 0.1M buffer and embedded in LR White. Results The hydration of corneal stroma after 24hrs and 48hrs was 54 per unit weight and 56 per unit weight respectively. The anterior part of the stroma was less affected by swelling compared to middle and posterior stroma. Stromal lamellae were disorganised with collagen fibrils running in random directions. Most of the keratocytes were disappeared, a small number present showed cell organelles. Throughout the stroma, PGs were rounded in shape instead of normal filaments. The PGs in the pre‐Descemet’s stroma were larger compared to anterior and middle stroma. The spacing between the collagen fibril had increased significantly, but the diameter was not affected in the anterior stroma. Conclusion Our study shows that camel cornea has a rather high hydration during the first 24 hrs. After 24hrs, hydration is comparatively low. Hydration of the cornea affects the uniform distribution of collagen fibrils and proteoglycans.