Effects of nedocromil sodium on antigen-induced conjunctivitis in guinea pigs.

We evaluated nedocromil sodium in a guinea pig model of allergic conjunctivitis. Ten days after the animals were passively sensitized to ovalbumin, nedocromil sodium (2 mg) or normal saline was instilled into the conjunctival sac, followed by antigen challenge with ovalbumin (100 micrograms or 300 micrograms/10 microL). Conjunctival hyperemia, edema, and eyelid edema were evaluated at 10 minutes and 4 hours in the 100-microgram ovalbumin group. Eyes with nedocromil sodium exhibited fewer early and late clinical signs of allergic conjunctivitis than control eyes. Infiltrating eosinophils were counted at 24 hours in the 300-microgram ovalbumin group. Nedocromil sodium inhibited antigen-induced eosinophil infiltration into the limbus, fornix, and eyelids by 77%, 66%, and 74%, compared with controls. Nedocromil sodium can effectively suppress early- and late-phase conjunctival hyperemia, conjunctival edema, eyelid edema, and eosinophil infiltration in the guinea pig passive-sensitization model. Nedocromil sodium may represent a versatile option for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.