Abstract
Purpose: :
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of adalimumab therapy in an experimental model of Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis ( EIU) in rabbits.
Methods: :
An experimental study was conducted on 42 Brown Dutch Rabbits. Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide endotoxin was intravitreally injected. Adalimumab was subcutaneously injected after the endotoxin intravitreal injection (40mg). The rabbits were randomly divided in three groups: Group A: Saline intravitreal injection. Group B: Endotoxin intravitreal injection. Group C: Endotoxin intravitreal injection and adalimumab (40 mg) subcutaneous injection. The intensity of intraocular inflammation was evaluated by an observer using a clinical score ( the maximum score was 7, the sum of 5 parameters). A microscopic examination of aqueous humor (AH) inflammatory cells and aqueous protein level were also performed 24 hours after the endotoxin and adalimumab injection.
Results: :
Ocular inflammation was significantly reduced in the endotoxin-uveitis group treated with adalimumab ( Group C=2,35), ( Group B=6,64) ( P<0,01, Mann-Whitney U test). A significant decrease of inflammatory cells and proteins in AH was observed in the adalimumab-treated group (group C) (0,0607+/- 0,01979 cell/uL) ( 16,1939+/- 2,58900 mg/mL) in contrast with the untreated group receiving endotoxin ( group B) ( 33,3579 +/-2,44031 cell/uL) (28,6159+/-0,99478 mg/mL) ( P< 0,01, Mann-Whitney U test).
Conclusions: :
Adalimumab is effective on experimental uveitis in rabbits.
Keywords: uveitis-clinical/animal model • uvea