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Is oxidative stress involved in Vernal keratocongiuntivitis? Results from a pilot study in children
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  • Anna Maria Zicari,
  • Giulia Brindisi,
  • Giovanna De Castro,
  • Valeria Lollobrigida,
  • Marcella Nebbioso,
  • Marzia Duse
Anna Maria Zicari
"Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I

Corresponding Author:annamaria.zicari@uniroma1.it

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Giulia Brindisi
Sapienza University of Rome
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Giovanna De Castro
Sapienza University of Rome
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Valeria Lollobrigida
Policlinico Umberto I
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Marcella Nebbioso
"Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I
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Marzia Duse
Sapienza University of Rome
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Abstract

Background: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a rare chronic conjunctivitis characterized by a predominantly eosinophil-mediated inflammatory disorder that could develop critical complications such as blindness. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of several allergic diseases. The role of oxidative stress has been hypothesized in VKC, but no study explored this issue.Furthermore, cyclosporine A (CsA) exerts an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action on the conjunctiva. This study aims to assess oxidative stress in VKC patients and controls and to study the effect ofCsA on oxidative stress in these subjects. Methods:Thirty-six consecutive children, including 12 VKC(9 males, 75%; mean age 10,17; SD ± 2.48) patients without treatment,12 VKC treated with CsA(9 males, 75%; mean age 9,08; SD± 2.75) and 12 controls (CT) (7males,58%; mean age8,58; SD ±1,78) were recruited. A cross-sectional study was performed to compare H2O2 in the serum and the tears ofthese children. Results: Compared with CT and VKC children treated with CsA, VKCuntreated children had significantly higher values ofHydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in theserum and the tears.No significant differences were observed between CT and VKC treated with CsA. A significant correlation was found at the linear regression analysis between serum and tear H2O2 levels. Conclusion: This study provides the first report attesting that patients with VKC have high oxidative stress; furthermore, it suggests that CsA could have an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action that could be useful to prevent the poor VKC outcome.
07 Aug 2020Submitted to Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
11 Sep 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
11 Sep 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
16 Sep 20201st Revision Received
16 Sep 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Sep 2020Editorial Decision: Accept