PGF2α点眼の角膜上皮バリアー機能に及ぼす影響

Effect of topical instillation of prostaglandin F2α on the barrier function of corneal epithelium

　高眼圧症，正常眼圧緑内障および原発開放隅角緑内障を対象としてイソプロピルウノプロストン単独点眼群17眼，β遮断薬単独点眼群12眼，β遮断薬とイソプロピルウノプロストンとの併用点眼群12眼，無点眼群17眼について，フルオロフォトメトリー法で角膜上皮バリアー機能を測定した。角膜へのフルオレセインの取り込み濃度は，それぞれ47.7±7.6（ng／ml，平均値±標準誤差），54.4±6.3,82.0±10.5,42.3±8.6であり，併用点眼群は無点眼群より有意に高値を示した（p＝0.007）。この結果から，角膜上皮バリアー機能はイソプロピルウノプロストンとβ遮断薬の併用点眼で有意に低下すると考えられた。

We evaluated the corneal epithelial barrier function in 58 eyes with ocular hypertension, normal-tension glaucoma or primary open-angle glaucoma. The barrier function was expressed as uptake of topically instilled fluorescein in the cornea after instillation of isopropyl unoprostone, a prostaglandin F₂α, derivative. The eyes were given isopropyl unoprostone alone 17 eyes, β-blocker alone 12 eyes, isopropyl unoprostone and β-blocker 12 eyes, and no medication 17 eyes. Their respective corneal fluorescein uptake (ng/ml, mean±SE) was 47.7±7.6, 54.4±6.3, 82.0±10.5 and 42.3±8.6. Eyes receiving isopropyl unoprostone in combination with β-blocker showed significant increase in fluorescein uptake as compared to those receiving no medication (p=0.007). This finding suggests that topically instilled isopropyl unoprostone in combination with β-blocker induces barrier dysfunction of the corneal epithelium.