Topical application of nucleotides increase lysozyme levels in tears

摘要

Abstract: The present work studies the effects of topical application of nucleotides on rabbit tear lysozyme levels. Lysozyme values were determined by the diffusion in Agar method described by van Bijsterveld in 1974, and the protein amount was obtained by measuring the inhibitory halos around a Whatman no1 paper disc of 5 mm in diameter. The tested nucleotides were UTP, Ap4A and Up4U. These compounds were topically instilled in a single-dose in one eye (with the contralateral eye as a control) and the lysozyme halos were measured along 5 hours. The obtained results showed an increase in the lysozyme concentrations of 67%, 93%, and 119% for UTP, Ap4A, and Up4U, respectively, over the basal levels of lysozyme. For this reason, we suggest these molecules as a potential treatment for the reinforcement of the tear film barrier against ocular infection.