PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF OCULAR INFLAMMATION WITH A NEW CLASS OF NONSTEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY AGENTS

New non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIAs) were tested on len s protein-, endotoxin- and interleukin-1-induced ocular inflammation. It was found that most NSAIAs, including REV 5901, mefenamic acid, ind omethacin, CK-17 and CK-102, inhibited lens protein-induced inflammati on. Endotoxin induced inflammation indirectly through the release of I L-1 which was inhibited by fewer agents, including CK-17, CK-102 and p rednisolone. However, the direct effect of IL-1 can only be suppressed by CK-17 and prednisolone. Therefore, CK-17 could become an important NSAIA which acts similarly to corticosteroids yet produces no steroid al side effects. CK-17 was different from most NSAIAs as it affected l ittle, if any, arachidonate metabolism. Most importantly, CK-17 was fo und to be 2-fold more potent than prednisolone in inhibiting IL-1-indu ced uveitis, while no side effects were noted at doses tested to date.