Abstract
Purpose: :
Ocular fluorophotometry provides a non-invasive method of quantifying vascular fluorescein leakage of iris/ciliary body and retina caused by intraocular inflammation. We sought to use ocular fluorophotometry to monitor the change of ocular vascular permeability for evaluating novel anti-inflammatory treatments in a rabbit model of Endotoxin-induced Uveitis (EIU).
Methods: :
Ocular fluorophotometry was performed to evaluate intraocular inflammation and effectiveness of novel anti-inflammatory compounds in a rabbit model of Endotoxin-induced Uveitis (EIU) induced by an intravenous (IV) injection of LPS (0.05µg-500µg/kg).An optimized time course of the fluorescein readout was determined and the amount of protein and cells in the aqueous humor were measured. Data from the in vivo/in vitro experiments were compared and the anti-inflammatory efficacy of Triamcinolone and Dexamethasone served as our positive controls.
Results: :
We observed optimal vascular leakage approximately 10-15 minutes post LPS (0.5µg/kg) injection. Furthermore, systemically-administered Triamcinolone or Dexamethasone blocked blood-retinal and blood-aqueous barrier breakdown elicited by LPS. A linear relationship between the amount of fluorescein leakage and LPS concentration administered was observed.
Conclusions: :
Ocular fluorophotometry is a sensitive tool for evaluating changes in ocular permeability caused by intraocular inflammation. It provides valuable information regarding the integrity of the blood-eye barrier when affected by ocular or systemic diseases and it also serves as a useful tool for the evaluation and discovery of anti-inflammatory compounds.
Keywords: inflammation • uveitis-clinical/animal model • corticosteroids