角膜移植术后肿瘤坏死因子-α含量的变化

目的　探讨角膜移植术后肿瘤坏死因子 -α( tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)含量变化与排斥反应的关系 ,寻找一种预测排斥反应的新方法。方法　分别以鸡、兔为供受体建立异种异体穿透性角膜移植模型 (鸡→兔 ) ,术后不同时间抽取兔房水及耳缘动脉血 ,运用酶联免疫吸附 ( enzyme linked im munosobent assay,EL ISA)双抗体夹心法检测 TNF- α含量的动态变化。结果　异种异体角膜移植 ,植片平均存活 18.8d± 3.0 d。正常兔房水及外周血中 TNF- α含量分别为 ( 31.2 5± 17.13) ng· L- 1 、( 6 9.98± 17.40 ) ng· L- 1 。角膜移植术后 3d,各组房水及外周血中 TNF-α含量即升高 ,其后自体移植组含量下降并在 2周内降至正常水平 ,但异种异体移植组继续升高 ,第 2周时达最高水平 ,并在整个观察期内维持高水平。相关分析显示血、房水 TNF-α含量变化正相关 ( r=0 .94,P<0 .0 1)。结论　角膜移植术后外周血 TNF- α含量变化可反应局部免疫学状态 ,监测外周血 TNF- α含量变化可预测排斥反应的发生。     

前房植入环孢素A缓释系统抑制鼠高危角膜移植术后的免疫排斥反应

目的　探讨前房内植入环孢素A缓释系统 (cyclosporineAdrugdeliverysystem ,CsADDS)抑制高危角膜移植术后免疫排斥反应的有效性和可行性。方法　 (1)对 6 0只Wistar大鼠 (6 0只眼 )用缝线法诱导角膜新生血管增生。 (2 )将发生角膜新生血管化的 4 0只Wistar大鼠 (40只眼 )随机分为4组 :对照组 ,1%CsA滴眼组 ,CsADDS结膜下植入组 ,CsADDS前房内植入组。每组均接受同种异系(Spregue Dawley大鼠 )角膜供体 ,行穿透性角膜移植术 ,术后比较各组大鼠免疫排斥反应发生的时间 ,并定期检测各组大鼠房水中CsA的浓度。 (3)正常Wistar大鼠 8只 (16只眼 ) ,随机分为 2组 ,分别在结膜下和前房内植入CsADDS ,术后 2和 4周行眼的组织病理学检查。结果　 (1) 5 1只Wistar大鼠 (5 1只眼 )经角膜基质缝线 ,成功诱导角膜新生血管增生。 (2 ) 4组共 4 0只Wistar大鼠角膜移植术后免疫排斥反应的发生时间分别为 :对照组 (8 2 0± 1 4 8)d ,1%CsA滴眼组 (10 6 0± 1 90 )d ,CsADDS结膜下植入组 (11 4 0± 2 5 0 )d ,CsADDS前房内植入组 (17 0 0± 6 0 5 )d。房水中CsA浓度均值分别为 :对照组 0 μg/L ;1%CsA滴眼组 (47 90± 3 4 8) μg/L ;CsADDS结膜下植入组术后 1、2、4周 ,房水中CsA浓度均值分别为 (5 9 0 0± 3 6 6 ) μg/     

角膜移植排斥反应房水中肿瘤坏死因子-α的检测

目的 :检测角膜移植排斥反应房水中肿瘤坏死因子 α(tumornecrosisfactoralpha ,TNF α)含量及其与角膜移植免收稿日期 :2 0 0 2 -11-19;修回日期 :2 0 0 3 -0 1-2 2作者简介 :李贵仁 (1943 -) ,男 ,山东潍坊人 ,主任医师 ,研究方向 :角膜病。通信作者 :李贵仁 (E -mail:li-yan2 0 0 2 0 0 1@163 .com)疫排斥反应的关系。方法 :将健康新西兰白兔 4 4只随机分为 4组。A组 :正常对照组 8只 ;B组 :自体穿透性角膜移植组 12只 ;C组 :异种异体穿透性角膜移植后用CsA治疗组 12只 ;D组 :异种异体穿透性角膜移植组 12只。供体为新鲜鸡角膜。分别于术后第 3、第 7、第 14、第 2 1、第 2 8天采取兔耳缘动脉血和房水 ,应用酶联免疫吸附 (ELISA)双抗体夹心法检测房水及外周血中TNF α的含量 ,并对房水细胞行免疫组化染色观察。结果 :正常血清和房水中均可检测到少量的TNF α ,它们的浓度分别为 (6 9.98± 17.4 0 )pg/ml和 (31.2 5±17.13)pg/ml。术后早期D组房水及外周血中TNF α含量即升高 ,至排斥反应前达最高水平 ,在观察期 (2 8d)内维持高水平。血、房水TNF α含量变化呈密切正相关 (r =0 .94 ,P <0 .0 1)。排斥反应发生时 ,D组房水涂片、瑞氏染色可见较多淋巴细胞和巨噬细胞 ,而相同时间的A、B组房水均未发现     

碱烧伤角膜移植术后肿瘤坏死因子-α含量变化的实验研究

目的探讨碱烧伤角膜移植术后房水及外周血中肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)含量的动态变化及其与角膜移植免疫排斥反应的关系。方法建立角膜碱烧伤动物模型,以鸡为供体,以兔为受体建立异种异体穿透性角膜移植模型(鸡→兔),将健康新西兰白兔24只随机分为3组。A组:正常对照组6只;B组:碱烧伤组8只;C组:碱烧伤异种异体穿透性角膜移植组10只。分别于碱烧伤术后(B组)或角膜移植术后(C组)第3、7、142、8 d抽取兔耳缘动脉血和房水,应用ELISA双抗体夹心法检测房水及外周血中TNF-α的含量变化。结果角膜移植片平均存活(15.67±3.35)d。正常兔房水及外周血中均可检测到少量的TNF-α,含量分别为(30.77±5.96)ng/L(、67.81±12.17)ng/L。术后各组早期房水及外周血中TNF-α含量即升高(P<0.01),其中B组7 d后达最高水平并保持稳定;C组则持续升高,在观察期(28 d)内维持高水平,但B、C组相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。血、房水TNF-α含量变化呈正相关(r=0.741,P<0.01)。结论碱烧伤角膜移植术后外周血TNF-α含量变化可反应局部免疫学状态,但监测外周血TNF-α含量变化不能作为预测排斥反应发生的依据。     

鸵鸟角膜对兔板层角膜移植的排斥反应

目的：角膜穿孔属眼科急症，角膜外伤、感染和化学伤都可引起角膜穿孔，用角膜移植治疗穿孔效果较好，但角膜供体资源在我国目前仍较为缺乏。角膜移植排斥反应是造成移植失败的主要原因。为探索异种角膜移植材料，本实验研究鸵鸟对兔板层角膜移植的植片存活时间及排斥反应特点，以便评价鸵鸟角膜的应用前景。方法：将24只≤8周龄的健康新西兰白兔随机分成两组：A组12只兔为兔一兔同种异体板层移植组；B组12只兔为鸵鸟一兔异种角膜板层移植组，治疗及观察时间均为6wk。两组术后均予结膜下注射地塞米松。术后每日在裂隙灯显微镜下观察植片存活情况和排斥反应指数；术后每周测量新生血管面积；术后1，3，5wk各组取1只兔的术眼角膜行病理检查。结果：鸵鸟板层角膜植片的平均存活时间为23d。驼鸟一兔异种板层和同种板层角膜在1，2wk排斥反应指数及角膜新生血管面积无显著差异，第3wk起差异显著。结论：鸵鸟角膜植片在移植早期能保持透明，且有较好的生物相容性。鸵鸟角膜植片后期因新生血管生长和排斥反应加重而混浊，说明单独应用地塞米松不能完全控制异种植片的排斥反应。     

实验性异种穿透性角膜移植排斥反应的特点及其治疗的探讨

用鸡给兔穿透性角膜移植为动物模型，研究异种角膜移植排斥反应的特点及治疗。结果：（１）该移植与同种异体移植排斥反应性质相同，但发生率高、出现较早、反应严重；（２）该移植术后房水中ＰＧＥ２含量的增加、角膜新生血管的出现与排斥反应的发生密切相关；（３）同种异体穿透性角膜移植组术后２０天房水中ＰＧＥ２含量、血清中特异性角膜抗体和外周血淋巴细胞转化程度均高于自体移植组，已潜在有排斥反应因素；（４）异种穿透性     

FK506缓释系统前房植入抑制兔高危角膜移植术后的免疫排斥反应

目的探讨前房植入FK506药物缓释系统（DDS）对兔高危角膜移植术后免疫排斥反应的抑制作用和FK506房水药物浓度与免疫排斥反应的关系。方法107只新西兰白兔中随机数字法选取73只兔进行角膜新生血管化模型的制作,其中68只兔作为受体成功建立高危角膜移植动物模型,随机数字法分为对照组、空白DDS前房植入组、环孢素A（CsA）DDS前房植入组（含CsA 1mg）、0．1％FK506眼液滴眼组及FK506 DDS前房植入组（含FK5060．5mg）。角膜移植术后观察各组角膜植片排斥发生的时间,移植术后1周取各组实验兔眼房水和静脉血进行FK506药物浓度检测。0．1％FKS06眼液滴眼组和FKS06 DDS前房植入组在移植术后的不同时间点抽取实验兔眼房水和静脉血,进行FK506药物浓度的检测。观察各组兔移植术后4周和观察期结束时角膜植片的病理变化,同时应用原位杂交的方法检测各组角膜植片内白细胞介素2受体a（IL-2Bot）、单核细胞趋化蛋白1（MCP-1）、Fas及FasL mRNA的表达。结果FK506 DDS前房植入组角膜植片存活时间超过180d,明显优于其他各组（F=926．37,P=0．0000）,其房水和角膜组织中的FK506药物浓度明显高于FKS06眼液滴眼组（T=21．00,P=0．0022）。FKS06 DDS前房植入组在术后24周内均能在房水中检测出FK506。术后4周对照组和空白DDS前房植入组有大量的炎性细胞浸润,并有明显的IL．2Bet和MCP-1mRNA的表达,而CsADDS前房植入组、FK506眼液滴眼组及FK506 DDS植入组角膜未见明显的炎性细胞浸润,未见IL-2Pux和MCP-1mRNA的表达。各组均未见明显的Fas和FasL mRNA的表达。结论前房植入FK506 DDS可有效地抑制高危角膜移植术后免疫排斥反应的发生,房水中较高的FK506药物浓度是防治术后发生免疫排斥反应的重要因素。     

角膜移植排斥反应中ICAM-1含量的变化

目的:探讨细胞间粘附分子-1(intercellular adhesion mole-cule-1,ICAM-1)在血液和房水中的含量变化与角膜移植排斥反应的关系。方法:缝线法诱发兔角膜新生血管化(corneal neovascular-ization,CNV)后,制作穿透性角膜移植(penetrating kerato-plasty,PKP)模型4组,A组:正常对照组;B组:自体穿透性角膜移植组;C组:同种异体穿透性角膜移植组;D组:新生血管化穿透性角膜移植组。术后记录植片存活时间和移植排斥指数(rejection index,RI);ELISA法检测房水及外周血中可溶性ICAM-1(sICAM-1)的含量,免疫组化法观察ICAM-1的表达。结果:B、C组在观察期内未见排斥反应发生。D组发生排斥反应,角膜植片平均存活12.4±1.3d,术后房水及外周血中sICAM-1含量即升高,至排斥反应前达最高水平分别为53.9±19.3ng/L,378.8±30.6ng/L,在排斥反应发生时,免疫组化染色发现角膜组织中ICAM-1呈强阳性表达。结论:血液和房水中的ICAM-1含量可以是角膜移植免疫排斥反应发生的指标,术后监测ICAM-1浓度变化对排斥反应的发生有一定预测和早期诊断作用。     

高危角膜移植排斥兔模型的建立及对比研究

背景 理想的角膜移植排斥动物模型是研究高危角膜移植免疫排斥机制的基础,具有重要的意义. 目的 比较各种建立兔高危角膜移植排斥模型方法的临床特点,探索合适的角膜移植排斥动物模型的建立方法.方法 45只新西兰白兔作为角膜移植受体,并按照造模方法的不同按随机数字表法随机分为缝线组、碱烧伤组和异种移植组,每组15只.分别用在角膜4个象限各间断缝1根5-0丝线法和1 mol/LNaOH碱烧伤法诱导角膜新生血管(CNV),再建立兔同种异体角膜移植；另一组以猫角膜为供体,建立猫-兔异种角膜移植模型.于第2周和第4周观察植片的组织学情况,对3个组角膜植片裂隙灯下观察植片排斥反应、炎症和新生血管,对植片水肿程度及炎症指数(IF)进行评分,根据角膜混浊、水肿及新生血管合计值计算排斥指数(RI).用免疫组织化学法检测CD4+T细胞和CD8+T细胞在植片组织中的表达. 结果 缝线组、碱烧伤组和异种移植组分别有14、15、15只兔完成穿透角膜移植术.术后2周,3个组IF中位数分别为0.556、0.778、0.222,差异有统计学意义(H=25.736,P=0.000),异种移植组IF值低于缝线组和碱烧伤组,差异均有统计学意义(Z=3.841、3.993,P=0.000),缝线组IF值低于碱烧伤组,差异有统计学意义(Z=3.568,P=0.000).术后2周,3个组RI中位数分别为2、6、3,差异有统计学意义(H=22.432,P=0.000),异种移植组RI高于缝线组而低于碱烧伤组,差异均有统计学意义(Z=2.373,P=0.018；Z=3.936,P=0.000),缝线组RI低于碱烧伤组,差异有统计学意义(Z=3.729,P=0.000).3个组植片存活时间分别为(17.9±2.0)、(13.4±2.4)、(15.5±2.0)d,差异有统计学意义(F=9.474,P=0.001).异种移植组的新生血管面积均低于缝线组和碱烧伤组(P＜0.05).术后2周和4周,组织病理学检查可见异种移植组植片中的炎性细胞少于缝线组和碱烧伤组,3个组植片中均出现以CD4+T细胞为主的细胞浸润. 结论 猫-兔异种角膜移植模型较缝线和碱烧伤法制作的角膜移植模型炎症反应轻、新生血管少,角膜免疫排斥反应稳定、适度,是理想的高危角膜移植动物模型.     

CD4和CD8基因敲除鼠行穿透性角膜移植术后免疫排斥特征的研究

目的　探讨CD4和CD8基因敲除小鼠行穿透性角膜移植术后免疫排斥反应发生的机制。方法　CD4、CD8基因敲除小鼠及C57BL/6小鼠各20只,分成3组,右眼接受穿透性角膜移植术,供体为BALB/c小鼠,术后裂隙灯显微镜评价角膜移植片情况,并详细记录免疫排斥的发生时间,在术后1、2、4周各取2只鼠术眼行免疫组织化学检查,观察眼前段CD+4 、CD+8 T细胞的变化。在术后2周, 3组小鼠各选其中10只接受皮肤移植,供体为BALB/c小鼠,监测皮肤移植后皮肤植片免疫排斥反应的时间和在皮肤发生排斥反应时角膜移植片的情况。结果　3组小鼠角膜移植术后免疫排斥发生时间明显不同,CD4基因敲除鼠角膜移植片保持透明,至少观察了90d未见免疫排斥反应发生;CD8基因敲除小鼠在(28±3)d时发生免疫排斥反应;C57BL/6小鼠发生免疫排斥反应的时间为(14±2)d(F=2034, P<0. 01)。移植皮肤后发生免疫排斥反应时间为:CD4基因敲除鼠(14±2)d,CD8基因敲除鼠(12±1)d,C57BL/6小鼠(10±1)d(F=42. 54, P<0. 01)。结论　小鼠行穿透性角膜移植术后免疫排斥反应可能是以T淋巴细胞,主要为CD+4 T细胞介导的免疫排斥反应,CD+8 T细胞参与了排斥反应过程。     

汉防己甲素对实验性葡萄膜炎的治疗作用及机制

用牛血清白蛋白诱发了家兔实验性葡萄膜炎。汉防己甲素(Tet 50 mg/kg/d ip)和地塞米松（Dex 5 mg/kg/d ip）治疗8天，能显著降低眼部炎症反应、房水蛋白含量、血清免疫复合物和外周T淋巴细胞转化率。停止给药后4天,Dex组房水蛋白和血清免疫复合物再度升高。Tet组虽有升高，但比Dex组明显为低。病理学检查发现Tet组脉络膜炎症比对照组明显为轻。结果表明，Tet抑制实验性葡萄膜炎，除了其抗炎作用外，还与其抑制体液和细胞免疫反应有关。 （中华眼底病杂志，1994，10：149-152）     

The effect of intraperitoneal and topic sodium diclofenac on the arachidonic acid metabolism in endotoxin-induced uveitis in the rabbit

Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) was produced in albino rabbits by intravitreal injection in the right eye of 10 ng of salmonella endotoxin in 5 ± l of saline solution by a Hamilton syringe. PGE2 and LTB4 were measured in the aqueous humor by the R.I.A. method 24 hours after endotoxin injection in order to examine the activity of the arachidonic acid metabolism. The authors have used seven groups of 12 animals each. The control group was injected with saline (5 ± l) and the endotoxin group (ET) with 10 ng of endotoxin. One experimental group was injected with the same amount of ET and treated with three intraperitoneal injections (-2h, 0h, 12h) of DFNa (32 mg/kg). Another group (ET+S) was injected with ET and treated with saline intraperitoneally (-2h, 0h, 12h). The topically treated groups received ET and topic DFNa (0.1%) every 6h, 4h and 2h respectively. Mean aqueous PGE2 concentration of the negative control group (0.03 ± 0.02 ng/ml) was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than in the ET group (7.26 ± 4.16). All the treated groups showed a statistical difference as compared to the ET group (p < 0.01, Student test). Mean LTB4 concentration of the negative control group (4.44 ± 0.33 ng/ml) was also significantly lower (p<0.01) than in the ET group (5.10 ± 0.61). Treatment with DFNa did not result in a decrease of the aqueous LTB4 levels. It is concluded that topical DFNa results in a decrease of aqueous PGE(2), without affecting LTB levels. To the best of our knowledge, such an effect of topical DFNa has not been reported previously.     

The effect of intraperitoneal and topic sodium diclofenac on the arachidonic acid metabolism in endotoxin-induced uveitis in the rabbit

Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) was produced in albino rabbits by intravitreal injection in the right eye of 10 ng of salmonella endotoxin in 5 ± l of saline solution by a Hamilton syringe. PGE2 and LTB4 were measured in the aqueous humor by the R.I.A. method 24 hours after endotoxin injection in order to examine the activity of the arachidonic acid metabolism. The authors have used seven groups of 12 animals each. The control group was injected with saline (5 ± l) and the endotoxin group (ET) with 10 ng of endotoxin. One experimental group was injected with the same amount of ET and treated with three intraperitoneal injections (-2h, 0h, 12h) of DFNa (32 mg/kg). Another group (ET+S) was injected with ET and treated with saline intraperitoneally (-2h, 0h, 12h). The topically treated groups received ET and topic DFNa (0.1%) every 6h, 4h and 2h respectively.

Mean aqueous PGE2 concentration of the negative control group (0.03 ± 0.02 ng/ml) was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than in the ET group (7.26 ± 4.16). All the treated groups showed a statistical difference as compared to the ET group (p < 0.01, Student test).

Mean LTB4 concentration of the negative control group (4.44 ± 0.33 ng/ml) was also significantly lower (p<0.01) than in the ET group (5.10 ± 0.61). Treatment with DFNa did not result in a decrease of the aqueous LTB4 levels.

It is concluded that topical DFNa results in a decrease of aqueous PGE₂, without affecting LTB levels. To the best of our knowledge, such an effect of topical DFNa has not been reported previously.     

Time course for prostaglandin synthesis by rabbit lens during endotoxin-induced ocular inflammation

Three hours to 14 days following the intravitreal injection of 10 ng of E. coli endotoxin into the vitreal chamber of one eye of the New Zealand white rabbit, ocular inflammation was evaluated by clinical and biochemical criteria and prostaglandins were measured in the intraocular fluids and in the incubation medium of the intact lens. Increased synthesis of PGE2 was detected for lenses from inflamed eyes beginning at 18 h post-endotoxin injection. Lenticular PGE2 synthesis remained above control levels for the duration of the time course. Lenses also exhibited increased PGF2 alpha synthesis, which began at 18 h and returned to control levels by day 7. At the times of peak production, aqueous humor PGE2 concentration correlated with lenticular PGE2 synthesis and with aqueous humor leukocyte number. No correlations were found for lenticular PGE2 vs. cell number, or vitreous humor PGE2 vs. aqueous humor PGE2. These results suggest that during ocular inflammation, aqueous humor PGE2 may be derived, at least in part, from the lens and leukocytes.     

The effect of interleukin-1 on ocular inflammation in rabbit ocular tissue

IL-1 (Interleukin-1) has attracted attention not only as a mediator of the immunological response but as a substance involved in acute and chronic inflammatory responses. The author induced endophthalmitis by intravitreous injection of IL-1 into rabbit eyes. The inflammation model was characterized by the indicators of aqueous humor protein and PGE2 levels, and IL-1 and PAF were investigated as possible mediators of inflammation in IL-1 induced endophthalmitis. A prostaglandin (PG) synthetase inhibitor suppressed both the protein level and PGE2 level, while a PAF antagonist acted to inhibit the increase in the protein level in aqueous humor but did not inhibit the rise in PGE2. Combined administration of the PAF antagonist and the PG synthetase inhibitor further reduced both the protein and PGE2 levels. These findings suggest that PAF may be a mediator of endophthalmitis due to IL-1, and that IL-1 induced endophthalmitis is also modified by other factors in addition to PAF.     

An Experimental Study of the Tumour Necrosis Factor Level in Aqueous Humor after Transscleral Fixation of Intraocular Lens

Purpose: The tumour necrosis factor (TNF) level in aqueous humor after transscleral fixation of intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in rabbits and discuss the effect of TNF on postoperative anterior ocular inflammation.Methods: Twenty - seven pigmented rabbits were divided into three groups. Group 1: transscleral fixation of posterior chamber (PC) IOL implantation;Group 2; Lens of rabbits was removed without IOL implantation; Group 3; the comtrol group, without surgical intervention. On the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th postoperative days,aqueous humor samples were obtained. An modified double antibodies indirect sandwich ELISA was used to detected for the presence of TNF. The data were analyzed by using analysis of variance of SAS software. Results: It was found that TNF level in aqueous humor was increased after transscleral fixation of IOL implantation. TNF level reached its maximum on the 14th postoperative day in the IOL implanted group. TNF level on 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th days postoperatively was signifi     

Effects of Tryptergium Wilfordii Polyglyco-sidium on the Tumour Necrosis Factor Levels in Aqueous Humor after Intraocular Lens Implantation

Purpose : Effects of Tryptergium Wilfordii Polyglycosidium (TWP) on the Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) levels in aqueous humor after intraocular lens (IOL) implantation were studied in rabbits.Methods: Twenty-seven pigmented rabbits were divided into three groups. In the first group, the IOL were placed in the capsular bag after lens extraction. In the second group, rabbits received TWP therapy after IOL implantation. And in the third group, rabbit received prednisone therapy after IOL implantation. Aqueous humor samples were aspirated on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 14th postoperative day. A modified double antibodies indirect sandwich EL ISA was used to detect for the presence of TNF. The data were closely studied by means of analysis of variance with SAS software.Results; It was found that TNF level in aqueous humor reached its maximum on the 7th postoperative day in the group with IOL implantation. It was also found that the TNF levels in aqueous humor on the 7th and 14th postoperative day were significantl     

Captopril suppresses inflammation in endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats

Captopril is an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) that is largely used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Several previous studies have demonstrated that captopril exhibits a wide variety of biological activities, including an anti-inflammatory action, on which we focused our attention. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of captopril on endotoxin induced uveitis (EIU) in rats. We investigated its effect upon cellular infiltration and protein leakage, as well as on the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in the anterior chamber. In addition, we checked its effect on activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) in iris and ciliary body (ICB) cells in vivo. EIU was induced in male Lewis rats by a footpad injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). One hour after the LPS inoculation, either 1mg/kg, 10mg/kg or 100mg/kg captopril were injected intravenously. 24h later, the aqueous humor was collected from both eyes, and the number of infiltrating cells and protein concentration in the aqueous humor were determined. Levels of TNF-alpha, PGE2, NO and MCP-1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. On some eyes, after enucleation, immunohistochemical staining with a monoclonal antibody against activated NF-kappaB was performed. Captopril treatment significantly decreased the inflammatory cells infiltration, the level of protein, concentrations of TNF-alpha, PGE2, NO and MCP-1 in the aqueous humor. The number of activated NF-kappaB-positive cells was lower in ICB of the rats treated with captopril 3h after the LPS injection. The present results indicate that captopril suppresses the inflammation in EIU by inhibiting the NF-kappaB-dependent pathway and the subsequent production of pro-inflammatory mediators.     

PGE(2) and leucocyte levels in aqueous humor after lens extraction and intraocular lens implantation

In order to study the inflammatory response after cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation the leukocyte (WBC) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) levels in aqueous humor were measured in rabbit eyes at different time points (1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days) postoperatively. In the first group lenses were implanted in the anterior chamber of the eye, without lens extraction, while in the second group the lens was removed and the IOL was placed in the capsular bag. A third group of animals was injected with 10 ng endotoxin into the vitreous in order to induce an inflammation of the uvea. In the endotoxin group high levels of WBC and PGE(2) were observed at 24 h postoperatively, followed by a decrease over time. In the intraocular lens groups WBC and PGE(2) were detected at all time points, and at higher levels compared to the endotoxin group. The WBC was high at day 1 and 3, declined over time, and then increased at day 28 postoperatively. The PGE(2) level was highest at day 3 in rabbits with anterior chamber lenses, while it peaked at day 7 in the animals with IOLs implanted in the capsular bag. In animals with the extracapsular lens extraction without an implanted IOL, the levels of WBC and PGE(2) decreased over time, and were statistically lower after one week compared with animals with an IOL placed in the capsular bag. The results demonstrate that the inflammatory response after cataract surgery persists for at least one month, probably due to surgical trauma and foreign body reactions. PGE(2) and WBC could be used to study postoperative trauma and biocompatibility of different IOL materials and designs.