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The possible effect of topically applied azithromycin and moxifloxacin on the alleviation of uveitis

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the inhibitory effect of topically administered azithromycin (AZM), and moxifloxacin (MXF) against tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production in a rat model of endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU).

Methods

Thirty-six Wistar albino rats were divided into 6 equal groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were determined as sham, control group for topical AZM application and control group for topical MXF application, respectively. Sterile saline, topical AZM 1.5%, and topical MXF 0.5% were instilled 5 times daily for totally 6 days on both eyes of the rats in Group 4, Group 5, and Group 6, before and after inducing EIU by intravitreal injections of lipopolysaccharide, respectively. At 24 h after intravitreal injections, aqueous humor was collected from both eyes of each rat for the assessment of TNF-α concentration. Also, density of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in ciliary body, and the number of cells infiltrating the posterior segment of EIU rat eyes was assessed in one eye of each rat.

Results

There was a significant reduction in mean aqueous humor concentration of TNF-α in EIU rats pretreated with topical AZM in comparison with those pretreated with sterile saline (139 ± 38.6 in Group 4 vs. 72 ± 12.6 in Group 5, p = 0.006). There was also a marked decrease in mean aqueous humor concentration of TNF-α in EIU rats pretreated with topical MXF (139 ± 38.6 in Group 4 vs.86.1 ± 35.5 in Group 6, p = 0.025). Also, evident suppressions were determined in mean density of NF-κB, and in mean number of cells in EIU rats pretreated either with topical AZM, or topical MXF.

Conclusions

Topically applied AZM or MXF may be beneficial in the suppression of TNF-α production in aqueous humor.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Kayseri City Training and Research Hospital, Muhsin Yazıcıoglu Aveniu, Seker Street, No:77, Kocasinan, 38038, Kayseri, Turkey

    Sedat Arıkan & Soner Guven

  2. Department of Medical Biochemistry, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University School of Medicine, Canakkale, Turkey

    Muserref Hilal Sehitoglu

  3. Experimental Research Application and Research Center, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey

    Sait Elmas

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  1. Sedat Arıkan
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  2. Soner Guven
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  4. Sait Elmas
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Contributions

SA designed the study, collected the data, SG, SA drafted the manuscript, MHS and SE created the figures.

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Correspondence to Sedat Arıkan.

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Canakkale University, The Committee on the Ethics of Animal Experiments, 12.11.2018/2018–25.

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Arıkan, S., Guven, S., Sehitoglu, M.H. et al. The possible effect of topically applied azithromycin and moxifloxacin on the alleviation of uveitis. Int Ophthalmol 43, 4451–4460 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-023-02845-5

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