leukotriene-b4 and Conjunctivitis

Sodium naproxen, a reversible competitive inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, is widely used as an anti-inflammatory agent in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether eye drops containing 0.5% (w/v) sodium naproxen reduce a number of inflammatory responses produced by sodium arachidonate in the rabbit's eye. Sodium naproxen eye drops successfully reduced the primary signs of ocular inflammation elicited by 0.5% sodium arachidonate on conjunctiva and iris. However, the drug was less effective in reducing conjunctival inflammation induced by 1% sodium arachidonate. Sodium naproxen treatment significantly reduced the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), polymorphonuclear leukocytes and protein concentration in aqueous humor samples obtained from the eyes of rabbits treated with 0.5% sodium arachidonate whereas aqueous humor levels of leukotriene B4(LTB4) were not found significantly different from control rabbits. Interestingly, PGE2 as well as LTB 4 "de novo" production by corneas and lenses obtained from rabbits sacrificed 2 h after arachidonate and incubation "in vitro" for 20 min were significantly higher in samples taken from controls than in tissues obtained from the eyes treated with sodium naproxen eye drops. Finally, this drug treatment significantly antagonized the rise in intraocular pressure induced by 0.5% sodium arachidonate. Present data suggest that sodium naproxen may be employed topically to prevent ocular inflammatory reactions where the arachidonic acid cascade is activated.

Topics: Animals; Arachidonic Acid; Conjunctivitis; Dinoprostone; Eye; Eye Proteins; Intraocular Pressure; Iritis; Leukotriene B4; Male; Naproxen; Neutrophils; Ophthalmic Solutions; Rabbits

Platelet activating factor (PAF) released by many cell types is involved in several steps of inflammatory reactions in various organs including the eye. It has been reported that some effects of PAF could be mediated by arachidonic acid metabolites generated after PAF-receptor interaction. In the study we investigated the protective effect of CBS-113A, a dual inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase in PAF-induced conjunctivitis in the rabbit. Moreover, the characterization of the icosanoid potentially mediating the PAF activity has been performed by using specific pharmacological agents. Subconjunctival injection of PAF (10-1000 ng) provoked Evans' blue extravasation measured in tissues within 30 min. Simultaneous injection of a PAF antagonist (BN 50730) inhibited the dye leakage, showing specific PAF receptor-mediated vascular reaction. CBS-113A applied in eye drops also inhibited Evans' blue extravasation. By contrast, indometacin administered either topically or by subconjunctival injection was not effective in reducing the effect of PAF. These results suggesting the involvement of a 5-lipoxygenase metabolite were confirmed by the effectiveness of local injection of SKF 104353, a specific leukotriene D4 antagonist. The present study shows that PAF-induced plasma leakage in conjunctivitis is mediated by peptido-leukotrienes.

Topics: Animals; Azepines; Conjunctiva; Conjunctivitis; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Dicarboxylic Acids; Evans Blue; Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials; Indomethacin; Leukotriene B4; Leukotrienes; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Male; Platelet Activating Factor; Rabbits; Second Messenger Systems; Tetrazoles; Thiazoles; Thienopyridines; Triazoles