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Published on: November 28, 2012
Effect of chloroquine on experimental melanin-protein-induced uveitis in Lewis rats
H Quiroz-Mercado1, M Cedillo-Ley, A Rodriguez-Reyes
1Departement of Retina, Asociación para evitar la Ceguera en México, Hospital Dr. Luis Sánchez Bulnes, IAP, Vicente García Torres 46, Coyoacán 04030 Mexico, DF Mexico,
Purpose:
To evaluate the effect of chloroquine on experimental recurrent autoimmune melanin-protein-induced uveitis in Lewis rats.
Methods:
Five Lewis rats were immunized with melanin to induce uveitis (group I); another six were immunized and treated with 5 mg/kg/day of chloroquine (group II). To reinduce uveitis, they received two booster injections of melanin. They were killed when uveitis was present after the last booster injection; every eye was evaluated by means of clinical and histopathological examination. A control group of four rats received the same chloroquine dose to evaluate retinal toxicity (group III).
Results:
Rats in group I showed more severe uveitis episodes than rats in group II. The second uveitis episode was more severe in group I than in group I. Rats in group III showed no clinical or histopathological abnormalities.
Conclusions:
Chloroquine decreased the severity and duration of uveitis, and in two rats it prevented recurrences. Thus, chloroquine can be considered an effective treatment for chronic, recurrent experimental uveitis.
