title: Interaction between nitric oxide and prostaglandin synthesis in the acute phase of allergic conjunctivitis.
abstract: Both nitric oxide and prostaglandins induce vasodilatation which is an important feature of local inflammation. The purpose of the study described here was to investigate a possible interaction between these two types of mediators in an experimental model of allergic conjunctivitis. A conjunctival allergic reaction was induced with antigen in sensitized guinea pigs. Conjunctival vascular permeability changes were evaluated with the prophylactic use of an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (L-NAME) and a cycloxygenase inhibitor (indomethacin). To study a possible interaction between nitric oxide and prostaglandin synthesis in the acute phase of allergic conjunctivitis, the levels of nitrite and PGE2 were determined in lavage fluid. The prophylactic use of L-NAME on the formation of conjunctival edema in response to topical PGD2 administration was studied by measurement of albumin levels in lavage fluid. Both nitric oxide and PGE2 are synthesized in response to antigen provocation and after histamine administration. Nitric oxide and PGE2 are produced simultaneously in the conjunctiva and they showed identical synthesis profiles in response to antigen provocation. Pretreatment with L-NAME inhibited the synthesis of PGE2 whereas exogenous administration of nitric oxide increased the level of PGE2 in lavage fluid. Prophylactic treatment with L-NAME significantly inhibited the PGD2 induced albumin extravasation. Nitric oxide seems to play an important role in the acute phase of allergic conjunctivitis it may stimulate PGE2 production and acts as a secondary mediator in PGD2 and histamine induced conjunctival edema.
authors.affiliation: Biochemical Laboratory, The Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tak
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: van Haeringen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kijlstra
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000418:Albumins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000633:toxicity; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006632:Histamine / Q000633:toxicity; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000494:pharmacology; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D000941:Antigens; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009573:Nitrites; D011453:Prostaglandins; D009599:Nitroprusside; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006632:Histamine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D015232:Dinoprostone; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D007213:Indomethacin