The pathophysiology of the ocular microenvironment. I. Preliminary report on the possible involvement of copper in ocular inflammation.
The concentration of copper [( Cu]) in the extracellular fluid compartments of rabbit eyes was found to increase approximately 30-fold during experimental uveitis, generally paralleling increases in [protein]. However, during the recovery phase the decrease in [Cu] lags behind the decrease in [protein] in some rabbits, suggesting the presence of abnormally high levels of non-protein-associated Cu. Intravitreal injection of CuSO4 (6 micrograms of Cu/eye) causes an inflammatory response and evidence of tissue damage. A better understanding of trace element metabolism is clearly required to further elucidate the mechanism of ocular inflammation and associated tissue damage.
D000818:Animals; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000032:analysis*; D003300:Copper / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D019327:Copper Sulfate; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D011817:Rabbits; D014605:Uveitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000032:analysis*
D005136:Eye Proteins; D008466:Mechlorethamine; D003300:Copper; D019327:Copper Sulfate