Rebamipide increases the amount of mucin-like substances on the conjunctiva and cornea in the N-acetylcysteine-treated in vivo model.
OBJECTIVE
Rebamipide increases the amount of mucin-like substances in the stomach. We aimed to determine the effects of rebamipide on the amount of mucin-like substances in the conjunctiva and cornea of N-acetylcysteine-treated eyes. Furthermore, we attempted to evaluate the effects of rebamipide on the wound healing of N-acetylcysteine-treated eyes.


METHODS
The model was created by instilling 10% N-acetylcysteine solutions into rabbit eyes. Rebamipide was then applied on the day following the completion of N-acetylcysteine treatment. The amount of mucin-like substances on the conjunctiva and cornea was measured using the Alcian-blue binding method. The degree of damage was evaluated using scores based on the areas and densities of the cornea and conjunctival after staining using a rose Bengal solution under blind conditions.


RESULTS
Rebamipide increased the level of mucin-like substances on the conjunctiva of N-acetylcysteine-treated eyes when instilled at concentrations of 0.3% or higher, and 1% rebamipide increased the amount of mucin-like substances covering the cornea. Moreover, 1% rebamipide improved the rose Bengal scores of the cornea and conjunctiva in N-acetylcysteine-treated eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
Rebamipide increased mucin-like substances on the cornea and conjunctiva of N-acetylcysteine-treated eyes. In accordance with the mucin-increasing effects, rebamipide improved the rose Bengal scores for the cornea and conjunctiva of N-acetylcysteine-treated eyes. However, the relevance of these findings to dry eyes is unclear because it is not known whether the change in mucus expression in the N-acetylcysteine model is similar to what occurs in aqueous tear deficiency. Consequently, it may be worth trying on an animal model of keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
Urashima
Hiroki
H
Ako Research Institute, Division of Dermatologicals and Ophthalmologicals, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Hyogo 678-0207, Japan. h_urashima@research.otsuka.co.jp
Okamoto
Takashi
T
Takeji
Yasuhiro
Y
Shinohara
Hisashi
H
Fujisawa
Shigeki
S
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000633:toxicity; D000409:Alanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000423:Alcian Blue / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008954:Models, Biological; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D015363:Quinolones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012395:Rose Bengal / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D009077:Mucins; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D015363:Quinolones; D012395:Rose Bengal; C052785:rebamipide; D000409:Alanine; D000423:Alcian Blue; D000111:Acetylcysteine