Open AccessCorrelation between various trace elements and ultramicroscopic structure of epiretinal macular membranes and glial cells
Author(s) -
Mario R. Romano,
Gilda Cennamo,
Daniela Montorio,
Del Prete S,
Mariantonia Ferrara
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0204497
Subject(s) - vitrectomy , pars plana , pathology , ultrastructure , epiretinal membrane , retinal , anatomy , chemistry , scanning electron microscope , biology , medicine , biochemistry , materials science , ophthalmology , visual acuity , composite material
Elements such as zinc, iron, copper, sulphur and phosphorus have been identified in retinal layers and implicated in vital retinal functions. Regarding mineral composition of epiretinal membranes (ERMs), literature is lacking. This study aimed to analyze both mineral composition and anatomical ultrastructure of ERMs to clarify the pathophysiology of this disease. Methods Twenty ERMs (10 diabetic ERMs and 10 idiopathic ERMs) from 20 patients were harvested during pars plana vitrectomy. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the anatomical ultrastructure of the peeled ERMs. Mineral composition was analyzed using energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The most frequent elements were evaluated in relation to appearance of ERMs analyzed at SEM and at OCT images. Results Sulphur was the most frequent element found (in 80% of the samples), followed by sodium (50%) and phosphorus (45%). The presence of these elements was not significantly different between diabetic and idiopathic ERMs (P >0.05). Using SEM we found a folded tissue in all ERMs, except in 4 ERMs, where we observed only a smooth tissue. There was a trend of sodium to be more frequent in ERMs with folded layers at SEM examination. Conclusions Several elements were identified in ERMs, and sulphur, sodium and phosphorus were the most frequent ones. This finding may help to understand their role in the physiopatology of epiretinal proliferation and in glial activation.