Production of lipid mediators in experimental keratitis of rabbit eye.

The inhibitors of prostaglandin (PG) or leukotriene (LT) synthesis and antagonists of platelet-activating factor (PAF) or LTs are inhibitory in experimental keratitis and clinical symptoms of keratitis are reproduced by application of these lipid mediators. This suggests that PGE2, LTB4, LTD4, and PAF are involved in experimental immunogenic and toxic keratitis. The objective of the present study is the measurement of the concentrations of lipid mediators in the aqueous humour and their release by the cornea and iris during keratitis. In both inflammatory models the concentrations of PGE2, LTB4, LTD4, and PAF in the aqueous humour were significantly increased as compared to their controls. The release of PGE2, LTB4 and LTD4 from the cornea, and of PGE2, LTB4, and PAF from the iris was significantly increased compared to that from control tissues. The results are consistent with a role for these lipid mediators in the inflammatory models. Combined therapeutic use of synthesis inhibitors or antagonists of these mediators in eye inflammation seems possible and may serve as an alternative to topical corticosteroid therapy.