Effects of NG-nitro L-arginine and corticosteroids on aqueous humor levelsof nitric oxide and cytokines after cataract surgery

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of nitric oxide synthesis (NOS) inhibitor, topical steroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on aqueous level s of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines after cataract surgery. Setting: Research Laboratory, Inonu University Turgut Ozal Medical Center, Malatya, Turkey. Methods: Fifteen rabbits had intercapsular phacoemulsification and were ran domly divided into 3 treatment groups: Group 1 was treated with topical pre dnisolone acetate 1% drops 5 times a day for 1 week; Group 2, flurbiprofen 0.03% drops 5 times a day for 1 week; Group 3, a 0.1 cc subconjunctival inj ection of NG-nitro L-arginine (L-NAME) (150 mg/kg) 1 day and 3 days after s urgery. Three rabbits serving as controls received a subconjunctival inject ion of an equal volume of balanced salt solution (BSS(R)) at the same times as the L-NAME injections. Aqueous humor specimens were collected from each eye to determine NO and cytokine levels including interleukin-1-beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-2R (IL-2R), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis fa ctor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Results: The levels of IL-1 beta and IL-6 were higher in Group 2 and the co ntrol group than in Groups 1 and 3 at ail times. The differences were not s tatistically significant (P <.05), Nitric oxide and TNF-alpha levels in Gro ups 1 and 3 were significantly lower than in Groups 2 and the controls 1, 3 , and 7 days postoperatively (P <.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest a strong inhibitory effect of NOS inhibi tors and corticosteroids on aqueous levels of TNF-alpha and NO and no inhib itory effect on IL-1 beta and IL-6 levels after cataract surgery. J Catarac t Refract Surg 1999; 25:794-799 (C) 1999 ASCRS and ESCRS.