Abstract
Purpose::
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of topical cyclosporine A(CsA) and prednisolone on inflammatory cytokine expression of the cornea after alkali injury.
Methods::
Seven-week-old male ICR mice(n=66) were used in this study. To create alkali burns, 2ml of 0.5 N NaOH was applied to 108 corneas of mice. Injured mice corneas were divided into three groups : untreated(n=18), topical CsA administrated(n=18), topical prednisolone administrated (n=18) group. Interleukin-1α(IL-1α) and Interleukin-2(IL-2) concentrations of the injured corneas were quantitated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) at 1,3 and 7 days after alkali injury.
Results::
Both CsA and prednisolone significantly suppressed the expression of IL-1α compaired to untreated group. Especially at day 3 and day 7 CsA significantly suppressed IL-1α compaired to prednisolone (P<0.05). CsA and prednisolone seemed to suppress the expression of IL-2 compaired to untreated group but there were no statistical significances between treated and untreated groups. Both agents significantly reduced corneal opacities.
Conclusions::
Topical administration of prednisolone or CsA after alkali injury can be beneficial to prevention of early inflammation by suppressing inflammatory cytokine expression in the alkali burned cornea.
Keywords: cornea: basic science • cytokines/chemokines • cyclosporine