Topical prostaglandins inhibit trauma-induced inflammation in the rabbit eye.

Topical administration of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) prior to ocular trauma can reduce the ocular inflammatory response in rabbits. In the present study, the ocular trauma consisted of puncture of the cornea, without aspiration of aqueous. Corneal puncture, which causes and inflammatory response, a breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier, and a biphasic response of the intraocular pressure (IOP), yields a valid model of a mild inflammatory response. Pretreatment with PGE1 and PGF2 alpha led to a lower rise in the aqueous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentration and a reduced inflammatory response after corneal puncture; in addition, the increase in the aqueous protein concentration was smaller and the aqueous ascorbate level was higher. The lower increase in the aqueous PGE2 concentration after pretreatment with PGs correlated with the reduced changes in IOP. It is suggested that PGE1 and PGF2 alpha reduced the trauma-induced inflammatory response by decreasing the formation of endogenous prostaglandins, as reflected by their concentration in aqueous. This study also indicates that the results of studies that require perforation of the cornea or cannulation of the anterior chamber may be affected by profound changes in the levels of cyclo-oxygenase products in the tissues surrounding the aqueous.