Nimesulide oral administration increases the intraocular pressure-lowering effect of latanoprost in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma

Effects of Eye Drops Containing Hyaluronic Acid-Nimesulide Conjugates in a Benzalkonium Chloride-Induced Experimental Dry Eye Rabbit Model

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a common ocular disease worldwide. Currently, anti-inflammatory agents and immunosuppressive drugs, such as cyclosporine A, have been widely used to treat this chronic condition. However, the multifactorial etiology of DES, poor tolerance, low bioavailability, and prolonged treatment to response time have limited their usage. In this study, nimesulide, a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 selective inhibitor, was conjugated with hyaluronic acid (HA), and the HA-nimesulide conjugates were expected to increase the solubility and biocompatibility for alleviating the DES in the benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-induced goblet cell-loss dry eye model. The therapeutic efficacy of HA-nimesulide was assessed using fluorescein staining, goblet cell density by conjunctival impression cytology, and histology and immunohistochemistry of corneal tissues. Compared to commercial artificial tears and Restasis®, the HA-nimesulide conjugates could promote goblet cell recovery and enhance the regeneration of the corneal epithelium. Importantly, immunofluorescent staining studies demonstrated that the HA-nimesulide conjugates could decrease the number of infiltrating CD11b-positive cells after two weeks of topical application. In the anti-inflammatory test, the HA-nimesulide conjugates could inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 cell model. In conclusion, we demonstrated that HA-nimesulide conjugates had anti-inflammatory activity, and promoted goblet cell recovery and corneal epithelium regeneration when used as topical eye drops; accordingly, the HA-nimesulide conjugates could potentially be effective for the treatment of DES.

The influence of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the intraocular pressure lowering effect of topical prostaglandin analogues-A systemic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

This study aimed to review previous articles and evaluate the influence of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients who were treated with prostaglandin analogues (PGs).

METHOD

The presenting study was designed as a meta-analysis of previous research. Databases include PubMed, Web of science, Cochrane library, and Embase were searched with keywords of "intraocular pressure, prostaglandin analogues, NSAIDs, latanoprost, travoprost, bimatoprost, tafluprost, unoprostone, latanoprostene bunod, ketorolac, diclofenac, nepafenac, bromfenac, flurbiprofen". Inclusion criteria were: 1. Study population were glaucoma patients; 2. Comparison between PGs monotherapy and PGs in combination with topical NSAIDs; 3. Changes of IOP as final outcomes. Studies with non-randomized design, treatments combining other anti-glaucomatous drugs, or unavailable absolute IOP were excluded from the analysis. Estimated difference in IOP were calculated using STATA 14.0.

RESULT

Seven studies were retrieved for this meta-analysis. Since there is a significant heterogeneity (I2 = 94%) in these studies, random-effect model was used to calculate pooled standardized mean differences (SMD). Our results showed a significantly favorable IOP lowering effect in glaucoma patients treated with combination of topical NSAIDs and PGEs (SMD: 1.3 and -0.03, 95% CI: 0.29 to 2.38 and -0.32 to 0.26, Z = 2.50 and 0.23, p = 0.013 and 0.820, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Results of our meta-analysis suggested that topical NSAIDs may enhance the IOP lowering effect of topical PGs in glaucoma patients.

Time Course of Prostaglandin Analog-related Conjunctival Hyperemia and the Effect of a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Ophthalmic Solution

PURPOSE

It is reported that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ophthalmic solution affected the therapeutic efficacy of prostaglandin (PG) analog by inhibiting endogenous PG production. However, whether NSAID ophthalmic solution interferes with its conjunctival hyperemia is unknown. We investigated the effect of NSAID ophthalmic solution on its hyperemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 1-month trial. Benzalkonium chloride-free travoprost 0.004% was used as a PG analog and administered once daily (08:00) in both eyes. Bromfenac sodium hydrate was assigned randomly to 1 eye twice daily (08:00 and 20:00) (the NSAID side), whereas flavin adenine dinucleotide sodium was applied to the fellow eye of each patient twice daily (08:00 and 20:00) (the control side). Conjunctival photographs of both eyes were taken 3 times (08:00, 14:00, 20:00) on days 1, 2, 7, and 28, and hyperemia was scored from 0 to 5 (H-score). We compared H-scores on the NSAID and control sides.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight Japanese normal subjects completed the study. The H-score on the NSAID side was significantly lower than that on the control side on day 1 at 14:00 (P=0.016, paired t test) and day 2 at 14:00 (P=0.016). But there were no differences at 20:00 on each day and after that time.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of NSAID ophthalmic solution had almost no impact on PG analog-related conjunctival hyperemia. This partly suggests that the action mechanism of endogenous PG after administrating PG analog might be no correlation with conjunctival hyperemia.

Effect of Travoprost and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug on Diurnal Intraocular Pressure in Normal Subjects with Low-Teen Baseline Intraocular Pressure

PURPOSE

The main purpose was to determine whether a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ophthalmic solution would affect the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect of a benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-free prostaglandin analog, travoprost. The secondary purpose was to confirm the IOP-lowering effect of BAK-free travoprost on the diurnal IOP.

METHODS

This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 1-month trial. After baseline diurnal IOP was confirmed, travoprost was administered once daily to both eyes. Bromfenac sodium hydrate was then randomly assigned to one eye, while flavin adenine dinucleotide sodium was applied to the other eye as a control. Both solutions were administered twice daily. IOP was measured three times daily (8:00, 14:00, and 20:00). The IOP of both groups was compared using Student's t-test. The effect of NSAID on IOP was investigated by repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

Twenty-eight normal Japanese subjects (mean age, 36.6 years) completed the study. After the start of travoprost, remarkable IOP lowering was gained and it settled to 10-11 mmHg. The diurnal IOPs of the NSAID group showed similar tendencies to that of the control group (P = 0.69-1.0). In a 1-month period, the range of IOP reductions compared with the baseline IOP of both groups showed no significant difference (P = 0.76-0.92). NSAID did not have an influence on IOP (F-value = 0.0036, P = 0.95).

CONCLUSIONS

Although BAK-free travoprost showed a powerful IOP-lowering effect in diurnal and 1-month readings, even in eyes with an IOP of <13 mmHg, the NSAID ophthalmic solution did not affect its IOP-lowering effect.

Efficacy and vitreous levels of topical NSAIDs

INTRODUCTION

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most commonly prescribed medications and are routinely used for their analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of their potent cyclooxygenase-inhibitory activity, they can inhibit pro-inflammatory prostaglandin synthesis, leading to complex inflammatory cascades. NSAIDs have been broadly used systemically for many decades and have recently become commercially available in the form of topical ophthalmic formulations. NSAIDs are weak acids with pKa values mostly between 3.5 and 4.5 and are poorly water-soluble. New, aqueous ophthalmic solutions of NSAIDs that afford better tissue penetration have recently been developed. In ophthalmological practice, topical NSAIDs are mostly used to stabilize pupillary dilation during intraocular surgery, manage postoperative pain and inflammation, and treat pseudophakic cystoid macular edema.

AREAS COVERED

This review focuses on the vitreous penetration of topical NSAIDs and their potential clinical applications in the treatment of retinal diseases.

EXPERT OPINION

A growing body of evidence suggests that NSAIDs may be beneficial in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and ocular tumors. Recent studies from our group and other authors have shown that the vitreous levels of NSAID exceed the median inhibitory concentration, which can significantly decrease vitreous PGE2 levels.

Effect of topical 0.03% flurbiprofen and 0.005% latanoprost, alone and in combination, on normal canine eyes

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the influence of topically applied flurbiprofen 0.03% and latanoprost 0.005%, alone or in combination, in normal canines.

ANIMALS STUDIED

  10 Normal Beagles.

PROCEDURES

Intraocular pressure (IOP), pupil size, aqueous flare, conjunctival hyperemia, and blepharospasm were evaluated bilaterally five times daily (8 am, 11 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, and 8 pm). The study consisted of a training and acclimation period, followed by 3, 1-week experiment periods. A 2-week washout period occurred between each experiment period. During period 1, all dogs received flurbiprofen (three doses 6-h apart) in the treated eye, whereas in period 2, all dogs received latanoprost (one dose 24-h apart). During period 3, both latanoprost (one dose 24-h apart) and flurbiprofen (three doses 6-h apart) were administered in the treated eye.

RESULTS

Flurbiprofen resulted in a mean IOP elevation of 1.1 mmHg (8.65%) in the treated eye, as compared with the control eye. No effect on pupil size, conjunctival hyperemia, or aqueous flare was noted. Latanoprost resulted in a mean IOP reduction of 3.4 mmHg (30.19%). Combined latanoprost and flurbiprofen resulted in a mean IOP reduction of 2.7 mmHg (24.56%). Miosis was noted in the treated eyes during both latanoprost periods, with maximal pupil constriction 3-h post-dose. This was followed by relative mydriasis 24-h post-dose, persisting 48 h after the last dose. The degree of conjunctival hyperemia varied between individuals. Neither blepharospasm nor aqueous flare was noted at any time point.

CONCLUSION

Concurrent administration of latanoprost and flurbiprofen resulted in a 20.41% reduction in the ocular hypotensive effect relative to latanoprost therapy alone.

Role of prostaglandins and specific place in therapy of bimatoprost in the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure and ocular hypertension: A closer look at the agonist properties of bimatoprost and the prostamides

Bimatoprost is the only representative of a novel class of prostaglandin ethanolamide (prostamide) compounds used therapeutically as an efficacious treatment for glaucoma. The pathways through which bimatoprost works to improve uveoscleral outflow to relieve elevated intraocular pressure are similar to those of the conventional prostaglandins used in glaucoma therapy, with some evidence of a preferential action at the trabecular meshwork. The pharmacology of bimatoprost is however, unclear. Pharmacological evidence supports a specific and distinct receptor-mediated agonist activity of bimatoprost at ‘prostamide’ receptors, which is selective to the prostamides as a class. However, other studies have reported either activity of bimatoprost at additional prostanoid and nonprostanoid receptors, or a conversion of bimatoprost to metabolites with agonist activity at prostaglandin FP receptors in the human eye. The formation of endogenous prostamides has been demonstrated in vivo, by a novel pathway involving the cyclooxygenase-2-mediated conversion of endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid) substrates. Irrespective of the pharmacology of bimatoprost and the prostamides in general, further studies are needed to determine the biological role and biochemical pathology of prostamides in the human eye, particularly in glaucoma. Such studies may improve our understanding of uveoscleral flow and may offer new treatments for controlling intraocular pressure.