Browsing by Author "Buehne, Kristen L"

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    How Medication Adherence Affects Disease Management in Veterans with Glaucoma: Lessons Learned from a Clinical Trial.
    (Ophthalmic research, 2023-01) Buehne, Kristen L; Rosdahl, Jullia A; Hein, Aaron M; Woolson, Sandra; Olsen, Maren; Kirshner, Miriam; Sexton, Malina; Bosworth, Hayden B; Muir, Kelly W

    Introduction

    We conducted a secondary, real-world clinical assessment of a randomized controlled trial to determine how a glaucoma medication adherence intervention impacted the clinical outcomes of participants at 12 months post-randomization. Participants included veterans at a VA eye clinic with medically treated glaucoma who reported poor adherence and their companions, if applicable.

    Methods

    The treatment group received a glaucoma education session with drop administration instruction and virtual reminders from a "smart bottle" (AdhereTech) for their eye drops. The control group received a general eye health class and the smart bottle with the reminder function turned off. Medical chart extraction determined if participants in each group experienced visual field progression, additional glaucoma medications, or a recommendation for surgery or laser due to inadequate intraocular pressure control over the 12 months following randomization. The main outcome measure was disease progression, defined as visual field progression or escalation of glaucoma therapy, in the 12 months following randomization.

    Results

    Thirty-six versus 32% of the intervention (n = 100) versus control (n = 100) groups, respectively, experienced disease intensification. There was no difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of intensification (intervention vs. control group odds ratio: 1.20; 95% confidence interval: [0.67, 2.15]), including when age, race, and disease severity were accounted for in the logistic regression model. Those whose study dates included time during the COVID-19 pandemic were evenly distributed between groups.

    Conclusions

    A multifaceted intervention that improved medication adherence for glaucoma for 6 months did not affect the clinical outcomes measured at 12 months post-randomization. Twelve months may not be long enough to see the clinical effect of this intervention or more than 6 months of intervention are needed.
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    Resveratrol Protects Against Hydroquinone-Induced Oxidative Threat in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells.
    (Investigative ophthalmology & visual science, 2020-04) Neal, Samantha E; Buehne, Kristen L; Besley, Nicholas A; Yang, Ping; Silinski, Peter; Hong, Jiyong; Ryde, Ian T; Meyer, Joel N; Jaffe, Glenn J

    Purpose

    Oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Resveratrol exerts a range of protective biologic effects, but its mechanism(s) are not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate how resveratrol could affect biologic pathways in oxidatively stressed RPE cells.

    Methods

    Cultured human RPE cells were treated with hydroquinone (HQ) in the presence or absence of resveratrol. Cell viability was determined with WST-1 reagent and trypan blue exclusion. Mitochondrial function was measured with the XFe24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer. Expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit was evaluated by qPCR. Endoplasmic reticulum stress protein expression was measured by Western blot. Potential reactions between HQ and resveratrol were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry with resveratrol and additional oxidants for comparison.

    Results

    RPE cells treated with the combination of resveratrol and HQ had significantly increased cell viability and improved mitochondrial function when compared with HQ-treated cells alone. Resveratrol in combination with HQ significantly upregulated HO-1 mRNA expression above that of HQ-treated cells alone. Resveratrol in combination with HQ upregulated C/EBP homologous protein and spliced X-box binding protein 1. Additionally, new compounds were formed from resveratrol and HQ coincubation.

    Conclusions

    Resveratrol can ameliorate HQ-induced toxicity in RPE cells through improved mitochondrial bioenergetics, upregulated antioxidant genes, stimulated unfolded protein response, and direct oxidant interaction. This study provides insight into pathways through which resveratrol can protect RPE cells from oxidative damage, a factor thought to contribute to AMD pathogenesis.