title: Comparison of topical steroids for acute anterior uveitis.
abstract: This study objectively compares efficacy of dexamethasone Na phosphate 0.1%, fluorometholone 0.1% (FML), loteprednol etabonate 0.5% (Lotemax [LE]; Bausch & Lomb Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tampa, FL), prednisolone acetate 1% (Pred Forte [PRED F]; Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Irvine, CA), and generic prednisolone acetate 1% (PRED A). These steroids were administered for 24 hours or 72 hours to New Zealand white rabbits with endotoxin-induced uveitis. Intraocular pressure (IOP), slit-lamp examination, and confocal microscopy were performed daily. Internalization of the glucocorticoid receptor (GC) was assayed in iris tissue by Western blot, and protein in aqueous humor by Bradford assay. Only LE and PRED F treatments significantly internalized GC receptor after 72 hours of treatment. Only LE and PRED A reduced protein concentration between 24 hours and 72 hours of treatment. All drugs improved clinical signs after 24 hours of treatment. None of the steroids promoted return of the inflammation-induced corneal thickness to baseline. While none returned IOP to baseline, LE was most effective. Confocal microscopy indicated that only treatment with LE reverted the abnormal endothelial-cell shape to normal. In conclusion, all steroid treatments reduced uveitis to some degree but LE was consistently effective. A longer observation period may be required to document the return of IOP and corneal thickness to baseline values.
authors.affiliation: Thomas R. Lee Center for Ocular Pharmacology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23501, USA.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Samudre
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Lattanzio
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Sheppard
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005337:Fibrin / Q000032:analysis; D005469:Fluorometholone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D000069559:Loteprednol Etabonate; D008297:Male; D010316:Particle Size; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011817:Rabbits; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000378:metabolism; D013535:Suspensions; D013997:Time Factors; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D005136:Eye Proteins; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D013535:Suspensions; C004180:dexamethasone 21-phosphate; D003907:Dexamethasone; C009935:prednisolone acetate; D005337:Fibrin; D011239:Prednisolone; D005469:Fluorometholone; D000069559:Loteprednol Etabonate