Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 25, 2025
Use of Rabbit Eyes in Pharmacokinetic Studies of Intraocular Drugs
Published on: July 23, 2016
Intravitreal bromfenac liposomal suspension (100 μg / 0.1 ml). A safety study in rabbit eyes
Idaira Sánchez-Santos1, Gustavo A García-Sánchez2, Roberto Gonzalez-Salinas3
1Retina Department, Asociación para evitar la Ceguera en México, Hospital ''Dr. Luis Sánchez Bulnes", Vicente García Torres 46, Barrio San lucas, 04030, Coyoacán, CDMX, Mexico.
Introduction:
There is a need to find alternative treatments for MEe. Bromfenac has shown promise in inhibiting the COX-2 enzymatic pathway that partially causes the inflammatory cascade which contributes to the precipitation of ME. However, like other NSAID's, its intraocular half-life is limited. We hypothesize that a delayed-release liposome formulation containing bromfenac might provide a similar anti-inflammatory effect as long-lasting steroid release systems without the well-known steroidal side-effects. We introduced a novel formulation with these characteristics into the vitreous cavity of rabbit eyes in order to evaluate its safety profile.
Material And Methods:
10 left eyes of rabbits were injected with the liposome-encapsulated bromfenac suspension (100 μg/0.1 ml). Basal ERG's were recorded. Total follow-up time was 3 months, at which point ERG's were repeated and eyes were enucleated for histopathological study. Total amplitude and implicit times were recorded. A difference of 25% in either recording was considered significant. Significance was assessed using the paired-t test and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.
Results:
No significant changes were recorded in ERG measurements after 3 months when compared to basal measurements. Histopathological analysis of retinal specimens found no traces of liposome-induced toxicity.
Conclusion:
The liposome-encapsulated bromfenac suspension (100 μg/0.1 ml) is not toxic and has been proven safe to use in an animal model. Therefore, this formulation shows promise as a possible future alternative treatment for ME and should be further studied to show its biological effect and efficacy.
Insights
A novel liposome formulation of bromfenac (an NSAID) demonstrated safety and no toxicity in rabbit eyes. This delayed-release formulation shows promise as a potential alternative treatment for ocular inflammation, warranting further investigation into its efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Ocular inflammation requires effective treatments, but current options like NSAIDs have limited intraocular half-lives.
- Bromfenac inhibits COX-2, a key enzyme in the inflammatory cascade contributing to ocular inflammation.
- Steroidal treatments offer sustained release but carry significant side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety profile of a novel delayed-release liposome formulation of bromfenac in an animal model.
- To assess the potential of this formulation as a long-lasting, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory treatment for ocular conditions.
Main Methods:
- Liposome-encapsulated bromfenac suspension (100 μg/0.1 ml) was injected into the vitreous cavity of rabbit eyes.
- Electroretinography (ERG) was performed before injection and after 3 months to assess retinal function.
- Histopathological analysis of retinal specimens was conducted to evaluate toxicity.
Main Results:
- No significant changes in ERG measurements were observed after 3 months compared to baseline.
- Histopathological examination revealed no signs of liposome-induced toxicity in the retinal specimens.
- The formulation was found to be non-toxic in this animal model.
Conclusions:
- Liposome-encapsulated bromfenac suspension is safe and non-toxic in a rabbit eye model.
- This delayed-release formulation holds promise as a potential future alternative treatment for ocular inflammation.
- Further studies are needed to demonstrate the biological effect and efficacy of this novel formulation.
