The Effect of Chemically Modified Tetracycline on the Inflammatory Reaction in Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis

Oh, Jung Hwan; Kim, Jae Chan

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was planned to find out the effect of CMT (chemically mediated tetracycline) in experimentally induced uveitis (EIU) model. METHODS: 54 Lewis rats were divided into three groups. For two experimental groups, CMT-3 and CMT-8 were used and for control group, placebo (CMC) was used. Each material was orally administered for 1 week. Then lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were administrated subcutaneously into footpads in all groups. The progression of inflammation and lens opacity was evaluated with slit lamp biomicroscope. Nitrite and Nitrate, stable oxidative products of nitric oxide in the aqueous humor, and TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in the uveal tissue were measured. The expression of iNOS was evaluated immunohistochemically. RESULTS: More severe corneal edema and sutural opacity of lens, along with the finding of more intense uveitis were noted in control than the CMT-3 and CMT-8, while no significant difference between the finding of CMT-3 and CMT-8 was noted. The concentration of NO, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and the expression of iNOS were significantly decreased in CMT-3 and CMT-8, and they had a close correlation with these inflammatory signs. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CMT-3 and CMT-8 inhibit the progression of inflammation in EIU and this effect is related to the inhibition of the NO production in aqueous humor. But we need a further evaluation to seek the relation between CMT and metalloproteinase in EIU, combined with studies of other biochemical changes in cornea, anterior chamber and lens.