title: The effect of anakinra on retinal function in isolated perfused vertebrate retina.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Blockage of the interleukin 1 (IL-1) signaling pathway has been proposed for treatment of inflammatory disorders like those affecting the retina and its adjacent tissue. Herein, we evaluated one of those inhibitory drugs, anakinra (Kineret®), based on its safety profile with emphasis on retinal function from an electrophysiological point of view.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bovine retina preparations were perfused with two different concentrations of anakinra (1 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml). An electroretinogram (ERG) was recorded and b-wave recovery assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exposure to anakinra at a concentration of 1 mg/ml did not decrease the b-wave amplitude, whereas 2 mg/ml resulted in a significant reduction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these preliminary results, anakinra at a dose as low as 1 mg/ml could be regarded as safe for retinal function. However, dosages of 2 mg/ml and more do have toxic electrophysiological effects, at least for the short-term.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lübeck, Germany; Laboratory for Angiogenesis & Ocular Cell Transplantation, University of Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Mahdy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ranjbar
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grisanti
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lüke
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lüke
keywords: Anakinra; Electroretinogram; Interleukin 1; Retina; Toxicity