Topical application of ciclosporin ophthalmic solution containing alpha-cyclodextrin in experimental uveitis

Ciclosporin (CS) has been shown to be a potent immunosuppressive drug. However, systemic administration of CS has been limited because of its unfavourable side effects. Thus, our attention has been focused on a topical application of CS for ophthalmic diseases. In this study, we examined the influence of a topical application of CS on experimentally induced ocular inflammation. CS was prepared by a new drug delivery system, with alpha-cyclodextrin (CD) as a solvent. Topical 0.075% CD-CS reduced ocular inflammation of rabbits induced by intravitreal injection of bovine serum albumin. The magnitude of efficacy of topical 0.075% CD-CS fell within the same level as that of topical 0.02% fluorometholone. However, the topical CD-CS showed no effect on experimental autoimmune uveitis in rats which had been induced by S-antigen or interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein. These findings indicate that the topical CD-CS is effective on anterior uveitis.