Effect of N-acetylcysteine on lipopolysaccharide-induced uveitis in rats.
OBJECTIVE
In this study we investigated the in vivo effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced uveitis in rats.


METHODS
To induce uveitis, LPS (100 microg) was injected into subcutaneous tissue of Wistar rats (170-190 g). NAC was injected intraperitoneally. Intracameral levels of protein, cells, nitrite, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interleukin (IL)-6 were determined by spectrophotometry, hemocytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6, endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
LPS injection elevated intracameral protein and cells, and the elevation was inhibited by NAC. LPS injection induced expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6, E-selectin, and ICAM-1 mRNA in the iris/ciliary body at 3 h, and iNOS mRNA at 6 h. The LPS-induced elevation of the mRNA levels was inhibited by NAC. NAC inhibited LPS-induced intracameral elevation of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and nitrite.


CONCLUSIONS
NAC decreased LPS-induced uveitis in vivo by reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules.
Zhang
Xue-Yun
XY
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan. ophthal@ms.toyama-mpu.ac.jp
Hayasaka
Seiji
S
Hayasaka
Yoriko
Y
Cui
Hu-Shan
HS
Chi
Zai-Long
ZL
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000235:genetics; D004926:Escherichia coli; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics; D007498:Iris / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008297:Male; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
D019040:E-Selectin; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D000111:Acetylcysteine