Effects of intravitreal injection of tacrolimus (FK506) in experimental uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the immunosuppressive and neuroprotective effects of intravitreal injection of tacrolimus in experimental uveitis.


METHODS
Tacrolimus (40 microg) was injected intravitreally in rabbits to examine safety. Experimental uveitis was induced in rabbits by systemic immunization with bovine serum albumin (BSA) followed by intravitreal challenge with BSA. On day 1 after BSA challenge, tacrolimus (20 or 40 microg) or betamethasone (400 microg) was injected intravitreally in one eye and balanced salt solution in the contralateral eye. The eyes were evaluated by slit-lamp biomicroscopy, electroretinography, and histopathology.


RESULTS
No local or systemic adverse reaction was observed in normal rabbits. In experimental uveitis, intravitreal injection of tacrolimus significantly reduced intraocular inflammation in histopathological analysis (p < 0.03). Amplitudes on the electroretinogram were restored (p < 0.01), and retinal thickness was preserved in tacrolimus-treated eyes (p < 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
In experimental uveitis, intravitreal injection of tacrolimus effectively suppresses ocular inflammation and preserves retinal architecture.
Ishikawa
Tomoaki
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. tom@tokyo-med.ac.jp
Hokama
Hideyuki
H
Katagiri
Yoshiaki
Y
Goto
Hiroshi
H
Usui
Masahiko
M
D000818:Animals; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004596:Electroretinography; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D011817:Rabbits; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D014605:Uveitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D001623:Betamethasone; D016559:Tacrolimus