Browsing by Author "Nien, Chan-Wei"

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Effect of Uveitis on the Development of Keratopathy: A Population-Based Cohort Study
(2018-10-01)
Nien, Chan-Wei
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Lee, Chia-Yi
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Chao, Shih-Chun
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Hsu, Hung-Jui
;
Huang, Jing-Yang
PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of uveitis on the development of various keratopathies via the use of the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan. METHODS. Approximately 1 million patients were randomly sampled from the registry of the NHIRD. Patients diagnosed with uveitis by ophthalmologists were enrolled in the study group after exclusion. Each individual in the study group was age and sex matched to four nonuveitis individuals who serve as the control group. In addition to keratopathy, other possible risk factors and medications were included in the multivariate model, and the effects of different subtypes of uveitis for developing keratopathies were also analyzed. RESULTS. A total of 4773 uveitis patients (2662 male and 2111 female) and 19,092 non-uveitis patients (10,648 male and 8444 female) were enrolled. There were 406 events of keratopathy in the study group, and another 764 events occurred in the control group. A higher incidence rate was found in the study group after adjustment (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.772), with a greater cumulative probability (P < 0.0001). For the subgroup analysis, anterior uveitis (aHR = 1.765) and panuveitis (aHR = 3.386) increased the risk of developing keratopathies. Moreover, male sex was associated with a higher aHR than female sex for developing keratopathies in the study group. CONCLUSIONS. The presence of uveitis significantly elevates the risk for developing keratopathy.
Effects of Lutein and Zeaxanthin on LPS-Induced Secretion of IL-8 by Uveal Melanocytes and Relevant Signal Pathways
(2015-01-01)
Chao, Shih-Chun
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Vagaggini, Tommaso
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Nien, Chan-Wei
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Huang, Sheng-Chieh
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Lin, Hung-Yu
The effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on lipopolysaccharide-(LPS-) induced secretion of IL-8 by uveal melanocytes (UM) were tested in cultured human UM. MTT assay revealed that LPS (0.01-1 mu g/mL) and lutein and zeaxanthin (1-10 mu M) did not influence the cell viability of cultured UM. LPS caused a dose-dependent increase of secretion of IL-8 by cultured UM. Lutein and zeaxanthin did not affect the constitutive secretion of IL-8. However, lutein and zeaxanthin decreased LPS-induced secretion of IL-8 in cultured UM in a dose-dependent manner. LPS significantly increased NF-kappa B levels in cell nuclear extracts and p-JNK levels in the cell lysates from UM, but not p-p38 MAPK and p-ERG. Lutein or zeaxanthin significantly reduced LPS-induced increase of NF-kappa B and p-JNK levels, but not p38 MAPK and ERG levels. The present study demonstrated that lutein and zeaxanthin inhibited LPS-induced secretion of IL-8 in cultured UM via JNK and NF-kappa B signal pathways. Theanti-inflammatory effects of lutein and zeaxanthin might be explored as a therapeutic approach in the management of uveitis and other inflammatory diseases of the eye.
Effects of Lutein on Hyperosmoticity-Induced Upregulation of IL-6 in Cultured Corneal Epithelial Cells and Its Relevant Signal Pathways
(2016-01-01)
Chao, Shih-Chun
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Nien, Chan-Wei
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Iacob, Codrin
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Hu, Dan-Ning
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Huang, Sheng-Chieh
Dry eye is a common disorder characterized by deficiency of tear. Hyperosmoticity of tear stimulates inflammation and damage of ocular surface tissues and plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of dry eye. Cultured human corneal epithelial (CE) cells were used for the study of effects of lutein and hyperosmoticity on the secretion of IL-6 by CE cells. Cell viability of CE cells was not affected by lutein at 1-10 mu M as determined by MTT assay. Hyperosmoticity significantly elevated the secretion of IL-6 by CE cells as measured by ELISA analysis. The constitutive secretion of IL-6 was not affected by lutein. Lutein significantly and dose-dependently inhibited hyperosmoticity-induced secretion of IL-6. Phosphorylated-(p)-p38 MAPK, p-JNK levels in cell lysates and NF-kappa B levels in cell nuclear extracts were increased by being exposed to hyperosmotic medium. JNK, p38, and NF-kappa B inhibitors decreased hyperosmoticity-induced secretion of IL-6. Lutein significantly inhibited hyperosmoticity-induced elevation of NF-kappa B, p38, and p-JNK levels. We demonstrated that lutein inhibited hyperosmoticity-induced secretion of IL-6 in CE cells through the deactivation of p38, JNK, and NF-kappa B pathways. Lutein may be a promising agent to be explored for the treatment of dry eye.
Incidence of Non-Traumatic Subconjunctival Hemorrhage in a Nationwide Study in Taiwan from 2000 to 2011
(2015-07-16)
Hu, Dan-Ning
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Mou, Chih-Hsin
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Chao, Shih-Chun
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Lin, Ching-Yang
;
Nien, Chan-Wei
Objective To determine the nationwide incidence of non-traumatic subconjunctival hemorrhage (NTSCH) in Taiwan from 2000-2011 and to analyze the risk factors for NTSCH using a case-control analysis. Methods This is a population-based cohort administrative database study. Randomly selected 1,000,000 residents from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database in 2000 and followed for 12 years to determine the population incidence of NTSCH. Individuals with the first diagnosis of subconjunctival hemorrhage were identified by the corresponding International Classification of Diseases code (ICD) 372.72. Traumatic subconjunctival hemorrhages (ICD-9 codes 921, 871, 850-854 and 959.01) were excluded. The association of NTSCH with various demographic factors, comorbidities and use of medications was studied by a population based case-control analysis using data of 2008-2011. Results A total of 67,720 patients with a first-time diagnosis of NTSCH were identified during the 12 years period. The mean annual incidence was 65 per 10,000 individuals (crude incidence) and 60 per 10,000 individuals (age-and sex-standardized incidence). The incidence rate of NTSCH was higher in women than in men, [men-women ratio: 0.80 (95% confidence interval: 0.78-0.81)]. The age-specific incidence decreased from childhood to the group of teenagers, after which it increased to a maximal value of 136.2 per 10,000 people in the age group of 60-69 years. Case-control analysis showed that comorbidities of hypertension, purpura and thrombocytopenia, and the use of aspirin were significantly associated with the risk of NTSCH. Conclusions This study indicates that NTSCH is a common eye disease that occurs once in 167 individuals in a general East Asian population per year. It occurs more often in women than in men and the age-specific incidence peaked in the age group of 60-69 years. Hypertension, purpura and thrombocytopenia, and the use of aspirin are the major risk factors for NTSCH.
Inhibition effect of curcumin on UVB-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines from corneal limbus epithelial cells
(2017-06-18)
Chao, Shih-Chun
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Hu, Dan-Ning
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Roberts, Joan
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Shen, Xilun
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Lee, Chia-Yi
AIM: To study the effects of curcumin on the secretion of interleukin (IL) -6 and IL-8 by corneal limbus epithelial cells. METHODS: Human corneal limbus epithelial cells were isolated and cultured from donor eyes and irradiated by UVB at different dosages with or without curcumin. MTT test was used for studying the effects of UVB and curcumin on the cell viability. The role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) pathways on the UVB-induced secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 were tested by addition of their inhibitors to the culture with or without UVB-radiation. Levels of various signal pathways, IL-6 and IL-8 in the cells and in the conditioned culture medium were measured by ELISA analysis. RESULTS: UVB at 20 mJ/cm(2) or less and curcumin at 20 mu mol/L or less did not affect the cell viability of cultured limbus epithelial cells (P>0.05). UVB irradiation at 10 and 20 mJ/cm(2) induced a significant increase of secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 and upregulated NF-kappa B and phosphorylated MAPK pathways of cultured limbus epithelial cells (P<0.05). Various signal pathway inhibitors, including SP600125 (JNK inhibitor), SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) and BAY11-7082 (NF-kappa B inhibitor) significantly decreased the UVB-induced secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 secretion (P<0.05). Curcumin at 5-20 mu mol/L significantly inhibited UVB-induced secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 by limbus epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner; while curcumin alone did not affect the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8. The upregulation of NF-kappa B and MAPK pathways induced by UVB treatment was significantly inhibited by curcumin, suggesting that NF-kappa B and MAPK pathways are involved in the inhibitory effect of curcumin on UVB-induced production of IL-6 and IL-8. CONCLUSION: Curcumin may be a promising agent to be explored for the prevention and treatment of pterygium.
Ultraviolet-A Irradiation Upregulated Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator in Pterygium Fibroblasts through ERK and JNK Pathways
(2013-02-01)
Chao, Shih-Chun
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Hu, Dan-Ning
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Yang, Pei-Yu
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Lin, Ching-Yang
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Nien, Chan-Wei
PURPOSE. Effects of ultraviolet (UV) B on the pterygium and its cells have been studied previously, whereas little is known on the effects of UVA. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a protease involved in tissue remodeling and cell migration, and its levels are increased in pterygium. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of UVA on the expression of uPA in cultured pterygium fibroblasts. METHODS. Cultured fibroblasts from early-stage pterygia and normal conjunctiva were irradiated with different dosages of UVA and compared to nonirradiated cells. uPA activities in the medium and uPA mRNA in the cells were measured by casein zymography and RT-PCR, respectively. Total and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) levels of cells treated with and without UVA were measured by Western blotting. Inhibitors of p38 (SB203580), ERK (UO1026), and JNK (SP600125) were added before the irradiation of UVA to test their effects. RESULTS. UVA irradiation increased the uPA mRNA levels in pterygium fibroblasts and the uPA activities in cultured medium, which was accompanied with an increase in phosphorylated ERK and JNK. The ERK and JNK inhibitor, but not p38 MAPK inhibitors, significantly decreased the UVA-induced expression of uPA by pterygium fibroblasts. Normal conjunctival fibroblasts were less sensitive to UVA irradiation compared to the pterygium fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS. UVA stimulated the production of uPA, a key factor in the modulation of extracellular matrixes, inflammatory processes, and angiogenesis. This may have a role in the development and progression of pterygium. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013;54:999-1007) DOI:10.1167/iovs.12-10469
Y The Correlation of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy and Subsequent Cardiovascular Diseases of Different Types: A Population-Based Cohort Study
(2019-12-02)
Hsu, Hung-Jui
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Lee, Chia-Yi
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Chao, Shih-Chun
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Nien, Chan-Wei
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Tzeng, Shih-Hao
The aim of the present study was to survey the relationship between central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) with different severities using the National Health Insurance Research Database. A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Subjects with CSC were enrolled according to the relevant diagnostic codes, and an age- and gender-matched population was used as the control group with a 1:4 ratio. The main outcome being considered was the development of CVD after CSC exposure. Cox proportional hazard regression was applied to calculate the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of CSC and CVD of different types. A total of 2865 patients that were diagnosed with CSC were enrolled in the study group, while another 11,460 non-CSC subjects were selected as the control group. There were 171 events of CVD which occurred in the study group, while another 557 cases were found in the control group. No significant differences were observed among the CVD cases between the study and control group, whether they had an acute or chronic form, according to the aHR. In the subgroup analysis, there was a significantly higher risk of CVD development in the male population aged from 40 to 59 years (aHR: 1.351, confidence interval (CI): 1.063-1.716), which was mainly due to the higher risk of mild CVD (aHR: 1.391, CI: 1.062-1.822). On the contrary, there was no significant difference in CVD development in any of the age subgroups of the female population. In conclusion, the existence of CSC is correlated with a higher rate of chronic CVD occurrence in the middle-aged male population.