Artificial Light-Induced Cytokine Gene Expression in Rabbit Cornea in vivo: Effect of Ocular Drops Containing Flurbiprofen

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of artificial sunlight on the gene expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in rabbit cornea in vivo, as well as the potential of an ocular anti-inflammatory formulation containing sodium flurbiprofen to suppress this effect. New Zealand Albino rabbits were subjected to acute exposure of their eyes to irradiation emitted from a light bulb commonly used for artificial tanning purposes with and without topical application of a commercially available formulation containing sodium flurbiprofen. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used as a means of estimating gene expression. The gene expression of IL-6 and IL-8 was found statistically significantly increased at 24 hrs post-exposure time (p = 0.003 and 0.006, respectively), as was that of TNF-α albeit in a non-statistically significant manner. A sodium flurbiprofen (0.03%) formulation was found to effectively reduce the light-induced upregulation of all three cytokines in the rabbit cornea.