May 2004
Volume 45, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2004
Antiviral Efficacy of Dipeptide Ganciclovir and Acyclovir Prodrugs, Val–Val–Ganciclovir (VVGCV) and Gly –Val–Acyclovir (GVACV), Against HSV–1 Corneal Epithelial Keratitis in the Rabbit
M. Itahashi; S.G. Trahan; B.S. Anand; H.W. Thompson; S. Majumdar; Y.E. Nashed; A.K. Mitra; J.M. Hill
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • M. Itahashi
    Ophthalmology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA
  • S.G. Trahan
    Ophthalmology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA
  • B.S. Anand
    School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
  • H.W. Thompson
    Ophthalmology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA
  • S. Majumdar
    School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
  • Y.E. Nashed
    School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
  • A.K. Mitra
    School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
  • J.M. Hill
    Ophthalmology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  M. Itahashi, None; S.G. Trahan, None; B.S. Anand, GlaxoSmithKline F; H.W. Thompson, None; S. Majumdar, GlaxoSmithKline F; Y.E. Nashed, GlaxoSmithKline F; A.K. Mitra, GlaxoSmithKline F, P; J.M. Hill, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  EY09171,EY10659,EY06311,EY02377,RPB
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2004, Vol.45, 117. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      User Alerts
      You are adding an alert for:
      Antiviral Efficacy of Dipeptide Ganciclovir and Acyclovir Prodrugs, Val–Val–Ganciclovir (VVGCV) and Gly –Val–Acyclovir (GVACV), Against HSV–1 Corneal Epithelial Keratitis in the Rabbit
      You will receive an email whenever this article is corrected, updated, or cited in the literature. You can manage this and all other alerts in My Account
      The alert will be sent to:
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation
      Citation

      M. Itahashi, S.G. Trahan, B.S. Anand, H.W. Thompson, S. Majumdar, Y.E. Nashed, A.K. Mitra, J.M. Hill; Antiviral Efficacy of Dipeptide Ganciclovir and Acyclovir Prodrugs, Val–Val–Ganciclovir (VVGCV) and Gly –Val–Acyclovir (GVACV), Against HSV–1 Corneal Epithelial Keratitis in the Rabbit . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2004;45(13):117.

      Download citation file:

      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
    • Get Permissions
  • Supplements
Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose:To determine the antiviral efficacy of the dipeptide prodrugs of ganciclovir (GCV) and acyclovir (ACV), VVGCV and GVACV, in HSV–1–specific corneal epithelial keratitis on the New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit. Methods:NZW rabbits (32) were topically inoculated with HSV–1 strain McKrae onto both scarified corneas and randomized into 4 balanced groups (8 rabbits/ group). At 3 days post–inoculation (PI Day 3), VVGCV, GVACV, trifluorothymidine (TFT), and water solutions were topically administered to the rabbit eyes 5 times per day between 9 AM and 5 PM for 5 consecutive days. All drugs were prepared at 1% wt/vol. Corneal epithelial keratitis, chemosis, and conjunctivitis were assessed and scored in each eye via slit lamp examination (SLE) from PI Days 3–7. On PI Day 7 (post–treatment day 5), aqueous humor was collected from each rabbit approximately one hour after the day’s final topical drop administration for determination of antiviral concentration. Results:SLE scores, mean and standard deviation were determined for five days. We found that VVGCV and GVACV treatment displayed antiviral effectiveness against HSV–1 in the NZW rabbit ocular model similar to TFT. Interestingly, the VVGCV treatment cessation did not result in a "rebound" of SLE scores/epithelial keratitis, as was seen at the termination of TFT, GVACV and water. Antiviral drug concentration in the aqueous humor will be reported. Conclusions:These results show that VVGCV and GVACV are highly effective antiviral prodrugs in treating HSV–1 rabbit epithelial keratitis, similar to TFT. VVGCV may have a longer half–life, thus preventing the aforementioned "rebound" seen with the TFT, GVACV and water treatment groups. Therefore, these two prodrugs could prove to be promising treatments for HSV–1 keratitis when TFT cannot be utilized.

Keywords: herpes simplex virus • antiviral drugs • cornea: epithelium 
© 2004, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of an abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the ARVO Office prior to publication.
Copyright © 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×
This site uses cookies. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our privacy policy.Accept