The effect of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs on retinal function in the electrophysiological ex vivo model of the isolated perfused vertebrate retina.

BACKGROUND

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have been suggested in the treatment of inflammatory ophthalmological diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of these DMARDs on bovine retinal function.

METHODS

Bovine retina preparations were perfused with a standard solution. After recording stable electroretinograms the nutrient solution was substituted by a DMARD medium with varying concentrations of different drugs (etanercept and infliximab) for 30 min. Afterwards b-wave recovery was observed.

RESULTS

Significant decreases in the b-wave amplitude (p < 0.05) were found for etanercept 0.5 mg/ml (p = 0.0022). Infliximab 2 mg/ml (p = 0.1276) did not result in any statistically significant b-wave reduction.

CONCLUSION

The presented data suggest that infliximab might have the better safety profile than etanercept.