A closed eye contact lens model of corneal inflammation. Part 2: Inhibition of cytochrome P450 arachidonic acid metabolism alleviates inflammatory sequelae

Abstract

Purpose: The authors have previously shown a marked increase in corneal epithelial arachidonic acid metabolism to 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) and 12-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (12-HETrE) in a model of closed eye-contact lens wear. Their formation was predominantly cytochrome P450-dependent and significantly correlated with inflammatory score and corneal thickness. In the current study, the authors used stannous chloride to inhibit the epithelial cytochrome P450-dependent synthesis of 12-HETE and 12-HETrE to assess the role of these eicosanoids as mediators of the inflammatory response to contact lens wear in the closed eye.

Methods: Hydrogel contact lenses were soaked in stannous chloride (100 micrograms/ml) or vehicle and fitted to the rabbit eye in stacked fashion (two lenses/eye), followed by a silk suture tarsorrhaphy of approximately 90%. Eyes were analyzed over a 7-day period for inflammatory responses through slit lamp biomicroscopy, subjective inflammatory scoring, ultrasonic pachymetry, and corneal epithelial [1-14C]-arachidonic acid metabolism.

Results: Closed eye-hydrogel contact lens wear resulted in a progressive anterior surface inflammatory response. Coinciding with these events was a time-dependent increase in corneal thickness and 12-HETE and 12-HETrE production rates by corneal epithelial homogenates. Treatment of the lenses with stannous chloride (100 micrograms/ml) significantly attenuated by day 7 the inflammatory score (56% decrease), corneal thickness (17% decrease), and 12-HETE and 12-HETrE synthesis (77% and 71% decrease, respectively).

Conclusions: This study further substantiates the involvement of cytochrome P450, through the synthesis of 12-HETE and 12-HETrE, in the inflammatory response associated with hydrogel contact lens wear in the closed eye. Thus, inhibition of cytochrome P450, with subsequent decreases in 12-HETE and 12-HETrE, may attenuate the pathophysiologic response to contact lens wear in the closed eye.