Frontiers in Pharmacology (Nov 2015)

Effects of topical fucosyl-lactose, a milk oligosaccharide, on dry eye model: an example of nutraceutical candidate

  • Claudio eBucolo,
  • Maria eMusumeci,
  • Salvatore eMusumeci,
  • Giovanni Luca eRomano,
  • Gian Marco eLeggio,
  • Caterina eGagliano,
  • Michele eReibaldi,
  • Teresio eAvitabile,
  • Maurizio Giacinto Uva,
  • Salvatore eSalomone,
  • Filippo eDrago

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2015.00280
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6

Abstract

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Purpose: Colostrum has been proposed to treat severe dryness and problematic eye lesions showing a beneficial effect. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of 2-fucosyl-lactose, a natural sugar present in the human colostrum, in an experimental dry eye. Methods: Dry eye was induced in adult male New Zealand albino rabbits by topical administration of 1% atropine. Tear volume (Schirmer’s test), tear film breakup time (TBUT), corneal staining and tear osmolarity were assessed. Fucosyl-lactose eye drops was instilled at different concentrations (0.01%, 0.1%, 1%). Results: After 24 hours from first atropine administration, tear volume and TBUT values were significantly improved in groups treated with 2-flucosyl-lactose in a dose-dependent manner. Tear volume increased from 5.25 to 10.75 mm and TBUT values from 8.75 to 34.5 seconds with 0.01% or 1% 2-flucosyl-lactose treatment, respectively. No changes were observed in terms of corneal staining among the all groups treated with 2-fucosyl-lactose. Atropine instillation caused an increase of tear osmolarity (428 mOsm/L), which was reversed by topical treatment with 2-fucosyl-lactose at all doses.Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that 2-fucosyl-lactose, a human milk oligosaccharide, has protective effect on tear film stability.

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