The possible effect of topically applied azithromycin and moxifloxacin on the alleviation of uveitis


Arıkan S., Guven S., Sehitoglu M. H., Elmas S.

International Ophthalmology, vol.43, no.12, pp.4451-4460, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 43 Issue: 12
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10792-023-02845-5
  • Journal Name: International Ophthalmology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE
  • Page Numbers: pp.4451-4460
  • Keywords: Azithromycin, Endotoxin-induced uveitis, Moxifloxacin, Tumor necrosis factor-α
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the inhibitory effect of topically administered azithromycin (AZM), and moxifloxacin (MXF) against tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production in a rat model of endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU). Methods: Thirty-six Wistar albino rats were divided into 6 equal groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were determined as sham, control group for topical AZM application and control group for topical MXF application, respectively. Sterile saline, topical AZM 1.5%, and topical MXF 0.5% were instilled 5 times daily for totally 6 days on both eyes of the rats in Group 4, Group 5, and Group 6, before and after inducing EIU by intravitreal injections of lipopolysaccharide, respectively. At 24 h after intravitreal injections, aqueous humor was collected from both eyes of each rat for the assessment of TNF-α concentration. Also, density of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in ciliary body, and the number of cells infiltrating the posterior segment of EIU rat eyes was assessed in one eye of each rat. Results: There was a significant reduction in mean aqueous humor concentration of TNF-α in EIU rats pretreated with topical AZM in comparison with those pretreated with sterile saline (139 ± 38.6 in Group 4 vs. 72 ± 12.6 in Group 5, p = 0.006). There was also a marked decrease in mean aqueous humor concentration of TNF-α in EIU rats pretreated with topical MXF (139 ± 38.6 in Group 4 vs.86.1 ± 35.5 in Group 6, p = 0.025). Also, evident suppressions were determined in mean density of NF-κB, and in mean number of cells in EIU rats pretreated either with topical AZM, or topical MXF. Conclusions: Topically applied AZM or MXF may be beneficial in the suppression of TNF-α production in aqueous humor.