Purpose  

In this study we investigated the in vivo effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced uveitis in rats.

Methods  

To induce uveitis, LPS (100 µg) was injected into subcutaneous tissue of Wistar rats (170–190 g). NAC was injected intraperitoneally. Intracameral levels of protein, cells, nitrite, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 were determined by spectrophotometry, hemocytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of TNF-α, IL-6, endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results  

LPS injection elevated intracameral protein and cells, and the elevation was inhibited by NAC. LPS injection induced expression of TNF-α, IL-6, E-selectin, and ICAM-1 mRNA in the iris/ciliary body at 3 h, and iNOS mRNA at 6 h. The LPS-induced elevation of the mRNA levels was inhibited by NAC. NAC inhibited LPS-induced intracameral elevation of TNF-α, IL-6, and nitrite.

Conclusion  

NAC decreased LPS-induced uveitis in vivo by reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2007;51:14–20 © Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2007