PURPOSE: Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are expressed by various types of stress, and known to play an important role in protecting cellular homeostasis. We hypothesized that Hsps may protect tissue damage and cataract formation in endotoxin-induced uveitis. METHODS: Lewis rats were exposed to 43degreesC balanced salt solution or arsenite for inducing Hsps, then received LPS injection 6 hours later. We evaluated the inflammatory grade and cataractous lens change. Histological examination, measurement of nitric oxide concentration in anterior chamber and SDS-PAGE analysis of lens protein change were also performed. RESULTS: Western blotting of rat lens revealed that Hsps progressively increased by 6 hour after heating and peaked at 12 hours. The inflammatory grade and cataractous lens change were less in Hsps expressed. Nitric oxide concentration were also lowered in Hsps expressed groups. Analysis of lens protein revealed that normally expressed 66.2 KDa protein disappeared in all groups after LPS injection but recovered in Hsps expressed groups with time. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that Hsps may protect tissue damage and cataract formation in endotoxin-induced uveitis. This effect may be associated with decreased nitric oxide. The study demonstrates that preconditioning to induce larger amount of Hsps by heat shock or drug may decrease inflammation and cataractogenesis induced by uveitis and surgery. We conclude that induction of Hsps may be useful as a new therapeutic modality against uveitis-induced cataract.
Animals ; Anterior Chamber ; Blotting, Western ; Cataract ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Heat-Shock Proteins* ; Heating ; Homeostasis ; Hot Temperature* ; Inflammation ; Molecular Chaperones ; Nitric Oxide ; Rats ; Shock ; Uveitis*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the concentrations of commercially available ofloxacin 0.3%, levofloxacin 0.5%, and ciprofloxacin 0.3% topical ophthalmic solutions in human aqueous humor. METHODS: Patients scheduled to undergo phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens insertion for treatment of cataract were enrolled in this prospective study. After informed consent was obtained, patients were randomized to receive 1 drop of ofloxacin 0.3%, levofloxacin 0.5%, or ciprofloxacin 0.3% topical ophthalmic solution 5 times at 1-hour intervals from 6pm one day before surgery and 3 further times at 5-min intervals immediately before surgery. After aspirating approximately 0.1 mL of aqueous fluid by paracentesis, surgery was commenced. We recorded the interval between the last drop and paracentesis. Specimens were stored at -70 degrees C until assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were enrolled. 14 male and 19 patients female. The mean age was 59.4 years. The mean concentrations of levofloxacin, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in aqueous humor were 577.8 ng/ml, 279.6 ng/ml and 53.0 ng/ml, respectively. The differences of concentration among the three groups were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The concentration of levofloxacin 0.5% solution was highest, followed in order by ofloxacin 0.3% and ciprofloxacin 0.3%.
Administration, Topical* ; Aqueous Humor* ; Cataract ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Ciprofloxacin* ; Female ; Humans* ; Informed Consent ; Levofloxacin* ; Male ; Ofloxacin* ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Paracentesis ; Phacoemulsification ; Prospective Studies