The effect of chlorpromazine on endotoxin-induced uveitis in the Lewis rat.

Chlorpromazine (CPZ) has been used extensively in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, and has recently been shown to possess systemic anti-inflammatory properties as well. To investigate the potential effects of CPZ on ocular inflammation, we evaluated its action on endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in Lewis rats. At three different dosage levels, CPZ produced highly significant reductions in the mean aqueous aspirate inflammatory cell counts and histological inflammatory scores as compared to controls treated with vehicle only. Analysis of aqueous fluid demonstrated a similar decrease in protein concentration and phospholipase A2 (PLA-2) activity in the treated animals. The ability of CPZ to inhibit the development of EIU may be related to its properties as a calcium channel blocker and inhibitor of the enzyme phospholipase A2.