Posters

Catalase activity of tears in chronic stress conditions

Poster Details

First Author: A. Alexa ROMANIA

Co Author(s): A. Cantemir   A. Ciobica   M. Filip   A. Luca   D. Ababei   C. Zamfir     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Oxidative stress represents the imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the organism’s capacity to produce antioxidants. The purpose of the present study is to observe the changes which occur in chronic stress environmental conditions applied to rats subjected to swimming and treadmill exercises, by focusing on a preliminary determination of catalase (CAT) specific activity in tears, an enzyme known to catalyse the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen and a valuable antioxidant protector, with possible implications into the dry eye pathology and ocular surface disease.

Setting:

Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania

Methods:

We used adult Wistar rats. The groups were selected as follows: group 1 (7 rats) runners, group 2 (7 rats) swimmers, group 3 (7 rats) control group. Lacrimal secretion was collected using Schirmmer tests ajusted by being cut to ¼ of standard sizes. Rats from group 1 started running with a speed of 2 km/hour for 5 minutes. The speed was progressively increased to 4 km/hour for 15 minutes. The second group started swimming for 5 minutes/day, increasing the time progressively to 45 minutes/day. After five weeks the tears were collected. The CAT activity was measured by employing colorimetric method.

Results:

Measurement procedures of the CAT levels registered in rat tears, collected after the application of environmental stressors (e.g. swimming and running), indicated a statistically significant decrease in CAT enzyme specific activity in rats subjected to both running and swimming tasks versus the control group. These results are suggesting an increased oxidative stress rate, considering that CAT is a representative element of the antioxidant system.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, we could state that since we observed decreased CAT levels in rat tears following physical training, a possible relevance of this stress animal model in the context of dry eye pathology might be possible.

Financial Disclosure:

None