The effects of betamethasone derivatives on endotoxin-induced uveitis in guinea pigs

Objective and Design: We reported previously that the betamethasone derivative betamethasone dipropionate behaves as an anti-glucocorticoid in rat endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU). In the present study, We produced EIU in guinea pigs and investigated the effects of betamethasone dipropionate on the EIU. Material: Male Hartley guinea pigs were used. Treatment: Glucocorticoids were instilled into the eye, Method: To elicit EIU, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected into the anterior chamber of the eye. Cell numbers in the aqueous humor after LPS injection were determined by flow cytometry. Prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) production after LPS injection into the anterior chamber was also examined, Results: Intracameral injection of LPS (1 mu g/eye) induced cell infiltration into the anterior chamber and PGE(2) Betamethasone dipropionate cell and PGE(2) production more than betamethasone. These results suggest that betamethasone dipropionate is a potent glucocorticoid in guinea pigs. Conclusions: Structure-activity relationships of glucocorticoids in the guinea pig EIU model may differ from those in the fat EIU model.