Changes in lens organophosphate metabolites in response to endotoxin-induced uveitis.

Uveitis was induced in rats by endotoxin administration. The temporal correlation between ocular inflammatory reaction and lens metabolic change was examined. The levels of lens phosphate compounds, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), choline phosphate (CP), and inorganic phosphate (Pi), were measured using 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Anterior chamber inflammation reaction appeared 12 h after administration, peaked at 24 h, and disappeared by 72 h. Concurrent with the active inflammation, lens Pi increased significantly 22 +/- 17% (p < 0.05) and 23 +/- 15% (p < 0.05), 12 and 24 h after administration, respectively, and returned to normal while the inflammation abated. No significant changes were observed in CP and ATP levels in the lens during the course of inflammation. The time course of the inflammation appeared closely related to the change in Pi level, which may be part of the protective mechanism of the lens against inflammation.