Effect of a beta-adrenergic antagonist, propranolol, on induced HSV-1 ocular recurrence in latently infected rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
Propranolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist, has been shown to block hyperthermically-induced ocular recurrence of HSV-1 in mice and reduce spontaneous ocular viral shedding and herpetic corneal lesions in latently infected rabbits. The present study was performed to determine the effect of propranolol on epinephrine iontophoresis-induced ocular recurrence and immunosuppression-induced ocular recurrence in the rabbit eye model.


METHODS
New Zealand white rabbits were infected with HSV-1 strain 17Syn+ or McKrae. After latency was established, the animals were injected intramuscularly with saline (placebo), or propranolol (5-200 mg/kg) twice daily, and then induced with epinephrine iontophoresis or cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone administration. Tear film swabs were cultured to determine the frequency of viral shedding.


RESULTS
Propranolol administered at a range of doses did not affect the frequency or duration of viral shedding following epinephrine or cyclophosphamide/dexamethasone induction as compared to saline treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that propranolol does not significantly reduce ocular HSV-1 shedding following induction by epinephrine iontophoresis or immunosuppression. By inference, these results suggest two possibilities: (1) that viral pathways leading to spontaneous and induced shedding of virus are under separate control mechanisms or (2) in rabbits, these inducers are of such potency that propranolol is ineffectual.
Garza
H H
HH
LSU Eye Center, New Orleans 70112-2234, USA.
Hill
J M
JM
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005123:Eye / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D017735:Virus Latency
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011433:Propranolol