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. 2021 Mar-Apr;84(2):163-169.
doi: 10.5935/0004-2749.20210027.

Human cornea conservation in coconut water solution

David Antonio Camelo Cid  1 , Marília Cavalcante Araújo  1 , Márcia Vitorino Sampaio Passos  1 , Ivelise Regina Canito Brasil  2 , José Ferreira Nunes  3 , Cristiane Clemente de Melo Salgueiro  3 , Sávio Carvalho Nogueira  4 , Dácio Carvalho Costa  2
Affiliations

Human cornea conservation in coconut water solution

David Antonio Camelo Cid et al. Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2021 Mar-Apr.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical characteristics of coconut water and to analyze the use of coconut water solution for the conservation of human corneas.

Methods: This was an experimental and controlled study performed at the Eye Bank of the General Hospital of Fortaleza. The coconut water-based solution was prepared at the Goat Seed Technology Laboratory of the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the State University of Ceará. Discarded corneas from the Eye Bank were divided into two groups for sequential experiments: G1, coconut water-based solution (experimental group), and G2, conservative treatment with OPTISOL GS® (control group). The osmolality of corneas in G1 was analyzed sequentially at 275, 300, 325, 345, 365, and 400 mOsm/L. The viability of the corneas was determined by specular microscopy and biomicroscopy on the first, third, and seventh days.

Results: Corneas preserved in a solution of 365 and 345 mOsm/L had a transparency of 8 mm until the third day and had diffuse edema in the periphery, central folds, and partial epithelium loss until the seventh day. The 365-mOsm/L solution was associated with the worst results during follow-up. Corneas placed in Optisol-GS retained their original aspects.

Conclusions: Coconut water-based preservative partially maintained corneal transparency and epithelial integrity, especially during the first three days of follow-up. The coconut water-based solutions used were not effective for use as preservatives in a human eye bank.

Objetivos: As características físico-químicas e o baixo custo da água de coco foram fundamentais para o este estudo. Analisar o uso de solução a base de água de coco como meio de conservação de córneas humanas em banco de olhos.

Métodos: Estudo experimental e controlado realizado no Banco de Olhos do Hospital Geral de Fortaleza. Utilizou-se solução à base de água de coco preparada no laboratório de Tecnologia de Sêmen de Caprinos do Departamento de Medicina Veterinária da Universidade Estadual do Ceará. Foram usadas córneas de descartes divididas em dois grupos: G1 (Conservante com água de coco) - grupo experimental e G2 (grupo Conservante com OPTISOL GS®) grupo controle, em experimentos sequenciais. A osmolaridade do G1 foi analisada sequencialmente com 275, 300, 325, 345, 365 e 400 mOsm/L. A viabilidade das córneas foram realizadas por microscopia especular e biomicroscopia nos 1o, 3o e 7o dias.

Resultados: As córneas em solução de 365 e 345 mOsm/L apresentavam transparência nos 8mm centrais até o 3o dia, com edema em toda periferia, dobras centrais e edema 2+, com perda parcial do epitélio até 7o dia, sendo o de maior osmolaridade com melhor transparência durante o seguimento. Grupo com 275, 300 e 400 mOsm/L, córnea opaca, edema difuso, perda total do epitélio no 3o dia. As córneas em Optisol mantiveram seus aspectos.

Conclusões: O conservante à base de água de coco manteve em parte a transparência corneana e a integridade epitelial, especialmente nos primeiros 3 dias de seguimento. A solução conservante com água de coco nas formulações utilizadas não se mostrou eficaz para o uso em banco de olhos humanos.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest: None of the authors have any potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) G1 (coconut water) 300 mOsm/L. (B) G2 (Optisol GS) 360 mOsm/L. (C) G1 (coconut water) 345 mOsm/L. (D) G2 (Optisol GS) 365 mOsm/L. (E) G1 (coconut water) 400 mOsm/L. (F) G1 (coconut water) 250 mOsm/L. (G) G2 (Optisol GS) 360 mOsm/L. All specimens after three days in solution.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) G1 (coconut water) 365 mOsm/L. (B) G1 (coconut water) 345 mOsm/L. (C) G1 (coconut water) 365 mOsm/L. (D) G1 (coconut water) 345 mOsm/L. (E) G1 (coconut water) 365 mOsm/L. (F) G1 (coconut water) 345 mOsm/L. Solutions on the third day.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(A) G1 (coconut water) 365 mOsm/L. (B) G1 (coconut water) 345 mOsm/L. Solutions on the seventh day.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(A) G1 (coconut water) 325 mOsm/L. (B) G1 (coconut water) 345 mOsm/L. (C) G1 (coconut water) 365 mOsm/L. Solutions on the seventh day. (D) G1 (coconut water) 275 mOsm/L. (E) G1 (coconut water) 325 mOsm/L. (F) G1 (coconut water) 345 mOsm/L. (G) G1 (coconut water) 365 mOsm/L.
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