Piroxicam in the treatment of immunologic, experimental inflammation of the anterior part of the eyeball.

The efficacy of piroxicam was tested on the model of immunologic, experimental inflammation of the uveal tract. The inflammation of the anterior part of the eyeball was provoked in rabbits by the method of Böcke. Intensity of choroiditis was evaluated after second administration of homologous antigen. The preparation investigated was given in the doses 5 and 15 mg/kg; behavior of the inflammatory indices was observed in the aqueous humor (protein, seromucoid, sialic acid, proteolytic activity, PGE2). Additionally, the changes within the anterior chamber and the iris were examined biomicroscopically. It was observed that relatively to the doses applied, piroxicam suppressed the intensity of inflammation evaluated by both biochemical as well as biomicroscopic indices. A substantial fall in the level of protein, seromucoid and sialic acid was reported in the aqueous humor; proteolytic activity as well as PGE2 normally absent under physiological conditions, were observed to subside. Biomicroscopically, piroxicam suppressed protein, precipitating exudate and decreased the number of morphotic elements in the aqueous humor. Moreover, it reduced the intensity of hyperemia of the iris and caused the pupilary dilatation. The results in this report demonstrate that piroxicam as nonsteroid, antiinflammatory drug of the prolonged activity, may be successfully used as an ophthalmic preparation substituting the steroid drugs.