Association of ophthalmic complications in patients with sulfur mustard induced mild ocular complications and serum soluble adhesion molecules: Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate possible association between ophthalmic complications in sulfur mustard (SM) exposed patients with mild ocular injuries and serum soluble adhesion molecules.Serum levels of sICAM-1, sL-selectin, sP-selectin and sE-selectin in 367 SM-exposed individuals with or without eye injuries were checked and compared with 128 unexposed controls. All participants underwent ocular examinations.Serum sICAM-1 level in SM exposed with blurred vision, was significantly (p = 0.021) higher than in SM exposed with no blurred vision. Serum sL-selectin level was significantly (p = 0.024) higher in SM exposed with photophobia than SM exposed with no photophobia.Serum P-selectin level in exposed without any slit lamp findings was significantly (p = 0.003) lower than the matched control groups. Similar finding was seen in exposed group without ocular problem compared with the control groups. Serum sE-selectin level in exposed with normal ocular condition except for photophobia and blurred vision was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the matched controls. Serum E-selectin level in exposed with photophobia condition was significantly (p = 0.047) higher than the control group with photophobia.In conclusion it seems that the changes in the E- and P-selectins is a regulatory mechanism for inhibition of SM induced ocular problems, although the local levels are more important and further investigations required in more severe ocular problems in SM exposed patients.

► Serum sICAM-1 and sL-selectin levels were not showed significant alteration in exposed with ocular problems. ► Serum sP-selectin levels were significantly lower in exposed without ocular problems compared to matched control. ► Serum sE-selectin levels were significantly higher in exposed without ocular problems compared to matched control. ► It seems the E-selectin and P- selectin elevations are regulatory mechanism for inhibition of SM induced ocular problems.