Effects of NG-nitro L-arginine and corticosteroids on aqueous humor levels of nitric oxide and cytokines after cataract surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of nitric oxide synthesis (NOS) inhibitor, topical steroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on aqueous levels of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines after cataract surgery.


METHODS
Research Laboratory, Inonu University Turgut Ozal Medical Center, Malatya, Turkey.


METHODS
Fifteen rabbits had intercapsular phacoemulsification and were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups: Group 1 was treated with topical prednisolone acetate 1% drops 5 times a day for 1 week; Group 2, flurbiprofen 0.03% drops 5 times a day for 1 week; Group 3, a 0.1 cc subconjunctival injection of NG-nitro L-arginine (L-NAME) (150 mg/kg) 1 day and 3 days after surgery. Three rabbits serving as controls received a subconjunctival injection of an equal volume of balanced salt solution (BSS) at the same times as the L-NAME injections. Aqueous humor specimens were collected from each eye to determine NO and cytokine levels including interleukin-1-beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-2R (IL-2R), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).


RESULTS
The levels of IL-1 beta and IL-6 were higher in Group 2 and the control group than in Groups 1 and 3 at all times. The differences were not statistically significant (P < .05). Nitric oxide and TNF-alpha levels in Groups 1 and 3 were significantly lower than in Groups 2 and the controls 1, 3, and 7 days postoperatively (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest a strong inhibitory effect of NOS inhibitors and corticosteroids on aqueous levels of TNF-alpha and NO and no inhibitory effect on IL-1 beta and IL-6 levels after cataract surgery.
Er
H
H
University of Inonu School of Medicine, Turgut Ozal Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Malatya, Turkey.
Gündüz
A
A
Turkoz
Y
Y
Ciğli
A
A
Işci
N
N
D000818:Animals; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005480:Flurbiprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits
D016207:Cytokines; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D005480:Flurbiprofen; C009935:prednisolone acetate; D011239:Prednisolone; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester