Abstract
Purpose::
Prostaglandins(PGs)and cysteinyl-leukotrienes(Cys-LTs) have been reported to mediate various inflammatory responses. However, studies detailing the levels of PGs and Cys-LTs in tears of patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) and vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) have not yet been extensively reported. In this study, we examined the concentration of PGD2 , PGJ2, PGE2,and Cysteinyl-Leukotriene in tears from patients with severe allergic conjunctivitis.
Methods::
Tear samples were collected from normal control subjects and from patients with VKC and AKC. 20 µL of tears were collected by capillary tubes; samples were centrifuged 10000rpm for 5 minutes. The supernatants were then stored at -20°C until concentration measurements by ELISA and EIA.The concentrations of PGD2(12eyes),PGE2(16eyes),PGJ2(10eyes),Cysteinyl-Loukotrienes(16eyes) were measured using ELISA and EIA.The concentrations were then compared between patients with AKC, VKC and normal control subjects using the t-test for statistical comparisons.Informed consents were obtained from all patients.This study followed the Tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.
Results::
The concentrations of PGD2, PGE2, PGJ2, and cysteinyl-Leukotriene were found to be significantly higher (P<0.05) in patients with allergic conjunctivitis than in normal control subjects. However there were no statistically significant differences between patients with AKC and VKC.
Conclusions::
Both PGs and LTs appear to significantly contribute to the inflammatory response and development of severe allergic conjunctivitis.
Keywords: conjunctivitis • cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • clinical laboratory testing