Leukotrienes in the aqueous humor of patients with uveitis
J. A. Parker, E. J. Goetzl and M. H. Friedlaender
Utilizing chromatographic and radioimmunoassay techniques, we measured the
concentration of leukotriene (LT) B4 and LTC4/D4/E4 in the aqueous humor of
14 patients with uveitis and seven patients undergoing penetrating
keratoplasty or routine cataract extraction. Leukotriene B4 was detected in
11 of 14 patients with uveitis (mean, 0.96 pmole/mL), and LTC4/D4/E4 was
found in 12 of 14 patients with uveitis (mean, 2.0 pmole/mL). In the
control group, LTB4 was detected in six of seven patients (mean, 0.57
pmole/mL), and LTC4/D4/E4 was found in six of seven patients (mean, 1.9
pmole/mL). Leukotriene levels did not correlate with clinically assessed
aqueous cell and flare. Mean levels of LT in patients with uveitis
receiving corticosteroids were nearly double those found in
non-steroid-treated patients. Despite apparent differences in LT levels,
none of the above differences reached statistical significance.
