Abstract
Purpose: The corneal stroma swells with edema fluid due to electrostatic repulsion of its negatively charged glycosaminoglycans, and divalent metal cations inhibit edema development. We investigated whether or not nonmetal divalent cations might also inhibit edema development. Materials and Methods: We investigated the hydration rates of stromas bathed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or phosphate-buffered magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride, hexamethonium dihydrochloride, putrescine dihydrochloride, and ethylenediamine hydrochloride solutions at pH 7.35–7.4. Results: Hydration rate was fastest in PBS and slower in divalent cation salt solutions (p < 0.05). All metal and nonmetal divalent cations inhibited swelling rates compared to PBS. Ethylenediamine is not divalent at physiological pH and did not significantly inhibit swelling. Conclusions: All the divalent cations appear to decrease swelling relatively equally, probably by shielding negative charges on GAGs, reducing their electrostatic repulsions.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
