Anti-inflammatory effects of betamethasone phosphate, dexamethasone phosphate and indomethacin on rabbit ocular inflammation induced by bovine serum albumin.

Following the induction of immunogenic uveitis betamethasone and dexamethasone reduced conjunctiva and iris hyperemia and aqueous flare. Indomethacin reduced iris hyperemia, but potentiated conjunctival hyperemia. All three agents inhibited the increase in the protein content of the aqueous that follows induction of immunogenic uveitis. Betamethasone was slightly more potent than dexamethasone and indomethacin. White cell entry into the aqueous was inhibited by betamethasone and dexamethasone. Paradoxically, however, indomethacin significantly potentiated the number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) entering the aqueous. The anti-inflammatory effects of steroidal agents may be due to the inhibition of the release of arachidonic acid (AA) which is a precursor of both lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase products. The potentiation of the PMN response by indomethacin in immunogenic uveitis may be due to an inhibition of cyclooxygenase product formation and a facilitation of lipoxygenase products (which are potent chemotactic agents) from AA.