Abstract
Purpose:
To develop a reproducible model of ocular allergy in new zealand rabbits by assessing allergy clinical signs correlating IgE by immunohistochemistry.
Methods:
preclinical, prospective, longitudinal study. The study subjects were 5 healthy male albino new zealand rabbits treated under laboratory conditions and according to ARVO Statement for the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Vision Research, these research subjects were enumerated from 1 to 5 for its study. The allergen used was ragweed pollen extract standardized high power (ambrosia trifida). 100 mg were injected intraperitoneally three times during the study on days 1, 8 and 15, on day 21 allergen challenge was performed applying 400ug into the conjunctival sac. The clinical review was performed by biomicroscopy and the following signs of allergy were evaluated: conjunctival hyperemia , eyelid edema , conjunctival edema and increased tear film , was performed on days 0 (baseline ), 21 ( 20 minutes after allergen challenge ) , 22, 25 28 and 31; serum IgE levels were determined by immunohistochemistry using ELISA Kit mybiosource , the blood sample were taken on days 0, 8, 15, 21 (20 minutes after allergen challenge ) , 25, 28 and 31.
Results:
On day 21 conjunctival hyperemia, eyelid edema, conjunctival edema and increase in tear film were observed in a moderate grade, on days 22, 25 and 28 these signs were mild and on day 31 were absent. The mean concentration of serum IgE was 5.7pg/ml baseline in subsequent measurements to the allergen challenge showed a mean concentration of 8.2pg/ml , 7.4pg/ml , 7.1pg/ml and 6.6 pg / ml on day 21 , 25 , 28 and 31 respectively; being statistically significant (p <0.05) compared with the baseline measurement on day 21.
Conclusions:
In our model we found a relationship between clinical signs of allergy and IgE mediated immune response, however did not submit the severity reported in other allergic animal models in efficacy studies. It will be necessary to modify the dose of intraperitoneal sensitization in subsequent studies.
Keywords: 421 anterior segment •
554 immunohistochemistry •
474 conjunctiva