Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin, a Nuclear factor-κB Inhibitor, on Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis in Rats In vivo and In vitro

Purpose: To determine the anti-inflammatory effects of dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ), a nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) inhibitor, on endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rats. Methods: EIU was induced by a subcutaneous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Lewis rats. DHMEQ was injected intraperitoneally concurrently with the LPS. Aqueous humor was collected 24 h after the LPS injection. Isolated peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) were exposed to LPS with or without DHMEQ to determine the production of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and MCP-1. Results: DHMEQ significantly reduced the number of infiltrating cells, and the concentrations of proteins, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 in the aqueous humor. DHMEQ suppressed the production of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and MCP-1 from PECs. Immunochemistry revealed a reduction in the translocation of the NF-kappa B p65 into the nuclei in DHMEQ-exposed PECs. Conclusions: The results indicate that DHMEQ has anti-inflammatory effects on EIU and may be a promising agent to treat intraocular inflammation.