Comparative in vivo inhibitory effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents on prostaglandin synthesis in rabbit ocular tissues

P. S. Kulkarni and B. D. Srinivasan

We have compared the effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) indomethacin, flurbiprofen, and aspirin administered either intraperitoneally (IP) or topically on rabbit conjunctival and anterior uveal prostaglandin (PG) synthesis. Doses of IP flurbiprofen and aspirin at or above 50 mg/kg almost completely inhibited PG synthesis in the conjunctiva and anterior uvea. Indomethacin at doses up to 100 mg/kg only partially inhibited PG synthesis in rabbit anterior uvea. Although IP flurbiprofen and aspirin were better than IP indomethacin in inhibiting PG synthesis in anterior uvea, 0.5% topical aspirin almost completely inhibited PG synthesis in the conjunctiva and anterior uvea, but 0.5% flurbiprofen and 0.5% indomethacin did not. A lower topical dose (0.01%) of aspirin prevented the production of PGs in the anterior uvea.