Purpose: Spironolactone has recently been shown to have suppressive effects on several immunoactive and proinflammatory cytokines. In this study, we investigated the effects of spironolactone on the prevention of corneal allograft rejection in a MHC class I/II mismatch rat corneal transplant model. Methods: Grafted animals for corneal survival analysis were assigned to receive either spironolactone suspension (orally, 100 mg/kg/day, n = 7), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, orally, same volume as spironolactone, n = 9) or remained untreated (n = 16). Additional grafted rats treated with spironolactone (n = 6) or PBS (n = 8) were sacrificed on day 12 for quantitative RT-PCR analysis for mechanistic studies. Results: Mean (±SEM) graft survival was significantly prolonged in animals receiving spironolactone (14.9 ± 2.0 days) compared with both PBS-treated (12.3 ± 1.2 days, p = 0.007) and untreated controls (13.0 ± 1.0 days, p = 0.01). We found a decrease in corneal neovascularization in spironolactone-treated rats compared with the PBS-treated group, although the difference was not statistically significant. Spironolactone affected both systemic (down-regulation of CD25+ cells in spleen) and local immune response (up-regulation of IL-10 in cornea). Conclusion: We present initial results demonstrating anti-inflammatory effects of spironolactone.

Keywords:
Spironolactone, Corneal transplantation, Graft rejection, Neovascularization
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel
2007
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.