Abstract
Background: Fluoropyrimidines may be effective in preventing proliferative vitreoretinopathy after repair of complicated retinal detachments. Liposome encapsulation of these antiproliferative drugs may extend the intravitreal half-life and increase their efficacy. Methods: The current study evaluated the pharma-cokinetic behavior of intravitreally injected 5-fluorouridine (5-FUR), free and encapsulated in liposomes, either conventionally or coated with collagen into 25 New Zealand rabbits. Additionally, we investigated the retinal toxicity of intravitreal injections of 100, 250 and 500 �g as well as 1 mg 5-FUR as free drug or encapsulated in liposomes in the rabbit eye. Results: The half-life of free 5-FUR after liposome injection into the vitreous cavity was 18.17+2.43 h, considerably longer than the half-life of free 5-FUR (0.82 h). Electrophysiologic tests did not show any changes in latency and a-wave amplitude and minimal changes in the b-wave amplitude. Histopathologic studies revealed integrity of the inner limiting membrane, and mild vacuolization in the outer retina. Conclusion: Encapsulation of 5-FUR within liposomes markedly increases its intravitreal half-life. Our study suggests that liposome-encapsulated 5-FUR is not toxic to the retina even at doses of 1 mg. © 1997 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 344-350 |
Journal | Ophthalmologica |
Volume | 211 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 1997 |
Keywords
- 5-Fluorouridine
- Antimetabolites
- Fluoropyrimidines
- Liposomes
- Proliferative vitreoretinopathy
- Retinal toxicity