Endotoxin-induced ocular inflammation increases prostaglandin E 2 synthesis by rabbit lens

Abstract

Twenty-four hours after the intravitreal injection of 0·1–100 ng of Escherichia coli endotoxin into one eye of the New Zealand white rabbit, lenses from the inflamed eyes synthesized significantly more prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) than their contralateral, control lenses at all doses of endotoxin greater than 0·1 ng. PGE 2 elevations were also seen in the aqueous and vitreous humors from inflamed eyes. Lenses did not synthesize 6-keto-PGF 1α (a stable metabolite of PGI 2). Incubation of untreated lenses with 1 μg ml −1 of endotoxin for 24 h did not increase PGE 2 production. These results indicate that rabbit lens can synthesize PGE 2, that this synthesis is significantly increased 24 hr after the intravitreal infusion of E. coli endotoxin, and that this increased PGE 2 synthesis is most likely not due to a direct action of endotoxin on the lens.