Abstract
Purpose
We compared the effects in rabbits of iridotomy using the argon or Nd:YAG laser on cytokines such as interleukin 1–beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).
Methods
Twenty pigmented rabbits (20 eyes) underwent argon and Nd:YAG iridotomy under general and topical anesthesia. Group 1 (10 right eyes) was treated with the argon laser and group 2 (10 right eyes) with the Nd:YAG laser, using an equal number of shots and the same laser parameters for each group. Left eyes in both groups were evaluated as controls. Aqueous humor specimens were collected from each eye preoperatively and 1 and 3 days postoperatively.
Results
Aqueous IL-6 and TNF-α levels rose more on day 1 in the Nd:YAG group than the argon group. IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly higher on days 1 and 3 than the preoperative and control levels (p<0.05). TNF-α levels on day 1 were significantly lower in the Nd:YAG than the argon group. There were no significant differences between the two laser groups for IL-6 on days 1 and 3. IL-1β and IL-8 did not change
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that cytokines, particularly IL-6 and TNF-α, may be inflammatory mediators in the early inflammation following argon and Nd:YAG laser iridotomies. These results also indicate that cytokines contribute to the acute effects of Nd:YAG and argon laser applications on inflammation.
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